//a 

CONSTITUTION'S 



OF THE 



NATIONAL, STATE, COUNTY 



AND 



OF THE 



rkf f ! %mmtt 



OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA : 



WITH THE 



I2SrST.A.IjIj.A.XI02Sr SEPl^VICE, 



%\\u\, anlr fitrial %ii\ki of \\t Drkr. 



1776 . . . 1861, 




" 0, to that banner be devoted still, 

Cleave to its cause in good report or ill ; 

See that its folds to shame shall ne'er be brought, 

Nor torn but by a conquered nation's shot. 

Think when you hear the thoughtless lightly speak 

Of our good government, as false or weak ; 

Think that those siriprs have storm and time withstood, 

Because first traced with holy martyrs' blood; 

Remember that great souls were given to nir 

To rise and light the constellation there — 

Strike as your bitterest foe, and brand with shame 

The false American who taints its name. 

And be this firm resolve, this fast decree, 

Your first, your last best title to be free ; 

In home dissensions or in foreign wars, 

Death to the traitors to the Stripes and Stars!" — E. Pollock 

' 0^ 






/// 



NATIONAL CONSTITUTION. 

We, the members of the Order of American Freemen, in 
and of the United States of ^Vmerica, in our individual and 
collective capacit}', relying upon Almighty God for the recti- 
tude of our intentions, and for the perpetuity of free American 
institutions in these United States, do solemnly ordain and es- 
tablish the following National, State, County, and Subordinate 
Encampment Constitutions, to remain inviolate and unchanged 
' forever, except as provided herein ; and we do ordain, and 
declare : 

ARTICLE L 

That this Constitution and these Constitutions, National 
State, County, and Subordinate Encampment, of this Order, 
shall be the Supreme law of this Order, and above the 
Ritual thereof, except in those parts thereof which shall or 
may conflict with the Constitution of the United States of 
America, which last Constitution shall be the supreme law of 
this Order, anything in this aid these Constitutions to the 
contrary notwithstanding, and of the State Constitutions of 
the Several States of this Union, in which Encampments of the 
Order of American Freemen may be established, the same. 
That the object of this order of American Freemen shall be to 
perpetuate the Union, and the Constitution of these United 
States of America, forever; to assist in the enforcement of all 
laws of the United States, unless they, or any of them, may be 
declared void by competent authority; to uphold and maintain 
the President of these United States in the faithful discharge 
of his ofiicial duties; to advise him of the wishes and deter- 
minations of the people of this nation; to prevent corruption 
in high official stations; to acquaint the President with any 



^tP 






4 NATIONAL 

acts of corruption done by any person appointed to office by 
him, and to request the removal of such corrupt person; to in- 
culcate into the minds of the people of these United States a 
deep, sincere and active love for its Government and free insti' 
tutions; and, under the blessing of the Most High God, to 
preserve the Government of the United States, the most pow- 
erful, moral, free and correct Government of the world, forever. 

ARTICLE II. 

The Grand National Encampment of the Order of Ameri- 
can Freemen, shall consist and be composed of the Grand 
Chief of the Grand National Encampment, and of such mem- 
bers, or their alternates, as shall be elected or chosen thereto 
by the several Sta'e Grand Encampments, at their annual 
convocations, held on, and including, the fourth day of July, 
of the year next preceding the meeting of the Grand Na- 
tional Encampment; which delegates, and also their alternates, 
shall be equal in number, in each State of this Union of United 
States, to the number of electors such State is and may be en- 
titled to, under and by virtue of the Constitution and laws of 
the United States, at the time such delegates may be elected; 
and the meetings of tlie Gi-and National Encampment shall be 
held quadrennially, that is to say, its first meeting shall be held 
and commence on the fourth day of July, A. D. one thousand 
eight hundred and sixty-four, and it shall convene every fourth 
year subsequent thereto; and each meeting thereof during its 
continuance and session shall embrace aud include each quad- 
rennial fourth day of July thereafter, forever. The first meet- 
ing of the Grand National Encampment shall be held in the 
city of Cincinnati, in the State of Ohio, and each subsequent 
meeting thereof shall be held evei-y fourth year thereafter, at 
such place as a majority of all the votes cast therefor, during 
the session of the last preceding meeting, shall determine, un- 
til the Grand National Encampment shall determine and agree 
permanently to meet at some place convenient of access to the 
whole nation. 

ARTICLE in. 

The [Grand Chief of the Grand National Encampment of 



//^ 



CONSTITUTION. 



this Order, and the Depu<"y Grand Chief, shall hold their 
positions as such, for and during the term of eight years, and 
until their successors arc elected and installed, and 

of the State of , shall be the 

first Grand Chief; and Robert Anderson, of the State of Ken- 
tucky, attested by Sumter, shall be the first Deputy Grand 
Chief of the Grand National Encampment, (if said Robert 
Anderson shall elect to become a member of this Orler.) and 
shall hold their positions as such until the quadrennial session 
thereof, to be held in and during the year A. D.one thousand 
eight liundred and sixty-eight, and until their successors shall 
be elected and installed. 

ARTICLE IV. 
In case of the decease of the Grand Chief, during the term 
of his office, the Deputy Grand Chief shall discharge the du- 
ties of Grand Chief of the Grand National Encampment, and 
elsewhere, as such Grand Chief, and in the event of the death 
of both the Grand Chief and the Deputy Grand Chief, then 
the Grand National Encampment shall, at the next meeting of 
the Grand National Encampment, subsequent to such decease, 
elect a National Grand Chief, and a National Deputy Grand 
Chief, to, and who shall, hold, and discharge the duties of, as 
snch, the unexpired remainder of the term of ofiice of the de- 
ceased Grand. Chief and Deputy Grand Chief. 

ARTICLE V. 

It shall be the duty of the National Grand Chief, at every 
quadrennial session of the National Grand Encampment of 
the Order of American Freemen, to submit such views to 
the Encampment, when convened, respecting matters of na- 
tional interest, as he may deem proper to be discussed and 
determined upon by the Encampment ; to recommend such 
reforms as he may deem necessary ; to give such advice as 
sound morality and good government, he may think fit and 
required ; to preside at the meetings of the Grand National 
Encampment, or to appoint some suitable member of the 
Grand Encampment, to preside, pro tern., in his absence. He, 
and the Grand Encampment, shall be governed in their pro- 



b NATIONAL 

ceeclings and business deliberations, by the parliamentary 
rules laid down in Jefferson's Manual, and in matters advisory 
to the President of the United States, the National Grand 
Chief shall, by letter, or in person, communicate to the Presi- 
dent the wishes and requests of the Grand National Encamp- 
ment, expressed therein by resolution or otherwise. 

ARTICLE YI. 

The President of the United States, after having taken his 
oath inaugural, shall be, ex officio, upon his request, admitted a 
member, of the Grand National Encampment; but before en- 
tering the same, he shall be required to take an obligation to 
keep secret and inviolate from those not legally entitled there- 
to, according to the laws of the Order, (unless previous to his 
inauguration as President of the United States, he were a 
member of the Order,) any knowledge he may gain therein of 
the Ritual of the Order, In like manner, and under the same 
restrictions as provided for the admission of the President to 
the National Grand Encampment, the members of his Cabinet 
may be admitted, and become members thereof; but neither 
the President of the United States, nor any member of his 
Cabinet, shall have control, or any voice therein, except as 
suggestive or advisory. And it is hereby provided, and estab- 
lished, that all loyal Judges of any of the Judicial Courts of 
Record of the United States of America, and all the loyal Ju- 
dicial Judges of the State Courts of Record of these, and any 
of these United States, may be admitted to membership free 
of charge, and without ceremony, if upon their retpiest, by 
taking ujK)n themselves a pledge never to reveal unlawfully, 
and in violation of its rules,, any ])ortion of the Ritual of the 
Order of American Freemen ; and all clergymen loyal to the 
Government of the United States, may be admitted to mem- 
bership in Subordinate Encampments, on taking the obligation 
of secrecy ; and all loyal mLinbers of Congress, and all loyal 
mend)ers of the several State Legislatures of these United 
States, after tiiey, and each of them, shall have been sworn in 
as such members, nmy in like manner, without fee, become 
niemljers of this Order, upon their request. 



/^3 



CONSTITUTION. 



ARTICLE YII. 

The Grand National Encampment of this Order, shall re- 
commend^ by a majority of all the votes cast therein, (in which 
eacli delegate shall be entitled to one vote,) and- i t^ i »lmt HK(?<s« 
pewer. to nouiijiate, ^^«irotr^majori-Sy, men from the Order of 
American Freemen, or otherwise, as suitable candidates for 
election to the Presidency and Vice-Presidency of these United 
States, by the votes of the people thereof, and in making such 
recommendation, or nomination, the Grand National Encamp- 
ment shall have, and exercise, especial vigilence and care, that 
they name patriotic, capable, honest, truthful, conscientious and 
moral men, for the support of the people ; but such recommen- 
dation or nomination shall not be made of any person who 
shall have solicited or electioneered for such position, by him- 
self or friends, except in so far as his patriotism or love of his 
country, and his Avorthy acts on behalf of his country shall 
have recommended him, that our nation may never be disgraced 
by the acts, or in the person of its Chief Executive. 

ARTICLE YIIL 

The powers of the Grand National Encampment shall be 
moral and advisory only^ forever; nor shall it, at any time, nor 
any of its members, encourage a resort to physical force, ex- 
cept in conformity to law, and at the request of, and to assist 
the President of the United States in the execution of the 
constitutional laws thereof, or to put down violators of the 
law, insurrectionists, traitors or rebels in arms against the 
Government of the United States within the jurisdiction 
thereof, or to protect our nation from the aggressions, or op- 
pressions, of other nations, or people. 

ARTICLE IX. 

The National Grand Chief, in cases of great emergency, and 
if called upon so to do by the State Grand Chiefs of five States 
of this Union of the United States, shall have power to call 
and require extra sessions of the Grand National Encampment, 
at such time and place as in his judgment, he may deem pro- 
per, provided, he shall not require such-called session of the 



^6 NATIONAL 

Grand National Encampment to be held in any State of this 
Union west of the Rocky Mountains, until forty years shall 
have transpired from and after the date of the organization of 
this Order ; and to this end he shall have power to direct and 
require the State Grand Chiefs of the several States of this 
Republic, to call sessions of the Grand Encampments of this 
Order in their several States, at a proper time and place 
named in the call of |uch State Grand Chief, which State En- 
campments, when convened, shall severally elect, each, the 
number of delegates, and alternates thereto, as such State may 
be entitled to, according to provisions hereinbefore made ; 
which delegates so elected, or their alternates, shall attend 
such called session of the Grand National Encampment, at tlie 
time and place mentioned in such call of the National Grand 
Chief. 

ARTICLE X. 
The National Grand Chief, and the Deputy National Grand 
Chief, shall have power to appoint such special Deputies, for 
the purpose of organizing Subordinate Encampments in the 
several States of this Union, as to them, or eitlier of them, 
may seem fit, under the direction of the National Grand Chief, 
which Deputies shall be responsible and accountable for their 
several acts, to the Chief who gave tlie appointment, which ap- 
pointment may be revoked at the will of such Chief ; and the 
outgoing Chief of any Subordinate Encampment shall have 
power, or may cause and direct any suitable member of the 
Order, to install his successor and the succeeding officers of 
such Subordinate Encampment. Uvi^oi- n If ^/U^^^ *■ /-> O %^ 

ARTICLE XL 

The National Grand Chief shall have a supervisory control 
over the actions of the State (Jrand Chiefs as such, and he 
shall have power to, and shall remove the Grand Chief of any 
State of this Union, from his position as such, (upon the solemn 
representation, under their seals, of twenty-five subordinate 
Encampments of any State, that the Grand Chief of the State 
Grand Encampment of such State, has been guilty of any act 
unworthy the position of Grand Chief of a State Grand En- 






1 
1 

CONSTITUTION". 9 i 

campment of the Order of American Freemen,) by solemn 
edict, suspending and removing such unworthy Grand Chief 
from his office ; and in such case the Najional Grand Chief 
shall be pro tempore, Grand Chief of such State, and shall 
direct by his order, the several County Encampments of such 
State, to call and hold an election for delegates to the State 
Grand Encampment of such State, at some proper and con- 
venient time and place named by him ; which delegates, wlien 
convened at such time and place named, shall be and constitute 
the State Grand Encampment of such State, whereupon, such 
delegates in Grand Encampment assembled, shall proceed to, 
and elect a State Grand Chief for the unexpired term of the • 

deposed Grand Chief, and to transact such other legitimate \ 

business of the Order in such State, as to such Grand Encamp- 
ment may seem proper. 

ARTICLE XII. 

No subordinate Encampment of the Order of American ' 
Freemen shall exist or be recognized within the jurisdiction i 
of the United States of America, unless it shall have first I 
obtained a Charter or Warrant, authorizing it to labor and ' 
confer degrees according to the Ritual of our Order, which ; 
Warrant or Charter shall be signed by the hand of the Na- i 
tional Grand Chief of the Order of American Freemen, or by i 
some person expressly authorized by such National Grand j 
Chief to sign his own name thereto, as, for, and in the name, i 
place and stead, of such Grand Chief; and each subordinate 
Encampment of this Order shall obtain, before performing 
any labor therein, or conferring any degrees, the Constitutions 
of the Grand National Encampment, State Grand Encampment, i 
County Encampment and Subordinate Encampments, together ' 
with the Ritual and Burial service of the Order, and shall pay 
for such Charter or .Warrant, the sum of ^^fe dollars, and " 
for one copy of such Constitutions, Ritual and Burial service 
with cards of the duties of the several officers of the Encamp- 
ment, or three copies thereof without such printed cards, the j 
further sum of ^,do|lars, to the person organizing such En-_ l~nrfr\ 
campment, and furnishing such Charter, Constitutions, Ritual ] 



10 NATIONAL 

and Burial gcrvico ; with such other ?um paid to the person 
organizing such Eucampuient, as the Encampment may deem 
proper, ci i u.L 1J2.^lt.^^<s^ <'' t-t^/n-^^ Cu>^-1^'^ dLo-CLc^A^ -^/w.u-c 

A ., ^ ,. ,,.^^,. ... r ARTICLE XIII. 

The fees for the three Degrees of the Order of American 
Freeman, (which degrees shall be called in their order, the 
White, Red and Blue,) shall be not less than one dollar for 
each Degree, but any subordinate Encampment may require 
one dollar for the first Degree, one dollar and fifty cents for 
the second Degree, and two dollars and fifty cents for the third 
Degree of the Order, and no more forever, and each member 
^ of every subordinate Encampment within the United States, 

unless excused by such Encampment on account of poverty or 
affliction, shall pay into the Treasury the sum of twelve and 
one half cents monthly, or twenty-five cents every two months, 
, under penalty of suspension from the Order, and at the expi- 
'^^ «"" ration of every fatty months, the Treasurer of ea3h subordinate 
Encampment shall forward and transmit to the Grand Chief 
of the State Grand Encampment, th« »««=Jwtlf part af all' 
^€ce^*i& el-money for duer and- degrees, over and above the 
^^ Be<iCfHlh»y ^y^useB ©touch subordinate fiTieani[>mont-, -atid- not 
^"^ less than one.' tlollar for every member th^-eof annually, and 
all monies contributed for volunteers, their widows and orphans, 
during the four months then last past; and the State Grand 
Chief shall semi-annually, on the first of January and the first 
of June of each year, to the National Grand Chief, transmit 
all monies contributed to the volunteer fund, and one-half of 
such monies received for dues and degree^? ; and all sums of 
money retained, by- each subordinate Encampment and l)y each 
State Grand Chief, and all sums of money received by the 
State Grand Chief and the National Grand Chief, less the 
necessary expense of disbursing the same, shall be appropri- 
ated and used for the benefit of the Order of American Free- 
men, and for the benefit of the families, widows and orphans 
of those who have fought or fallen in defence of American 
institutions, or for the perpetuation of our Constitution, Union, 
and national existence. The expenses of the National Grand 



CONSTITUTION. 11 , S 

Chief on account of the business of this Order, shall be paid ^ ' 
to and retained by the National Graifd Chief, from that por- 
tion of monies arising and accruing from the fees and dues of 
members, which may be forwarded and transmitted to him, 
through and by the State Grand Chiefs of this Order in the 
several States of these United States, as above provided ; and . --v<? 
the balance of such monies so received by him, if necessary, ^ ^ 
shall be appropriated and paid to and toward the expenses of ~ ■^^ "^ 
the members delegated to the National Grand Encampment, at • . 4 i 
the rate of ten cents per mile for the whole distance necessarily ^ ^ 
traveled by the most direct route in going to such National - 
Grand Encampment ; provided, that if there shall not be a • Iv- " 
sufficiency of money in the hands of such National Grand Chief, ^ ^ , 
received by him as aforesaid, after deducting his necessary ■, ? t 
expenses on account of business of this Order, then and in tliat j ^ 
case he shall pay to the members of the National Grand En- ^^ ■$ 
campment, of the balance of such monies in his hands, j)ro rata '" ^ 
to the number of miles such members shall have traveled nee- '' 

essarily as above named, in going to the National Encampment;^ 
and the several State Grand Chiefs of the State Grand Encamp- '^"^i 
meuts within these United States, shall in like manner be . 'y « 
governed, and the expenses of the members of the State Grand 1 ! 
Encampments, in their several States shall be paid, and the \ ; 
balance of monies in their hands severally shall be paid as l^ .? 
their several State Grand Encampments shall direct for the 
good of the Order, under penalty of everlasting ignominy and - ; 
disgrace to them ^*^=*feeir=^affi^ forever, on failing so to do; 4 ^ 
and further, the National Grand Chief under a like penalty, 
shall appropriate and disburse the volunteer, or widows' and 
orphans', fund, to the high purpose for which the same shall j 

and may be contributed. 

ARTICLE XIV. i "^ 

This Constitution, and these Constitutions of the Order of ;•» "5" 

American Freeman, may be amended in the manner prescribed ^ 
herein only. If a majority of the members present at any 

quadrennial session of the Grand National Encampment of - : 

this Order, shall desire to amend tliis Constitution, they shall ^ <^ 



■Xs^V 



12 NATIONAL CONSTITUTION. 

propose their amendment in writing, at such quadrennial ses- 
sion, and the same shall be submitted to the several subordinate 
Encampmeuts of this Order throughout the United States, 
•which subordinate Encampments shall, without control, take 
such action as to them may seem fit, and if a majority of two- 
thirds of all such subordinate Encampments, tliroughout the 
United States shall decide, and be in favor of such proposed 
amendments, aiird, shall report such ^ decisions to their several 
State Grand Eac^a^ents ; tlie Bseainpiaeats last named shall 
report the number of the subordinate Encampments so deciding 
to the National Grand Encampment, under the seal each of 
the State Grand Encampments, and such proposed amendments 
shall be adopted, a4-the nssct -c^iiadremiial session of the Na- 
tional Grand Encampment, otherwise this Constitution shall 
remain unchanged forever. 



//c 



STATE CONSTITUTION. 



We, the members of the Order of American Freemen of the 
State of , ' ■■■ ''■'"■ ■'■ ■''' ., and of the United States of 

America, relying upon the favor and protection of Almighty 
God, for the preservation and perpetuity of free American in- 
stitutions in this State, and in these United States of America, 
do ordain and establish, this State Constitution of the Order 
of American Freemen, to remain and be unchanged and invio- 
late, forever ; and, secondly, and in addition to the National 
Constitution of our Order, ordained and established, we do 
further ordain, for this State: That, The State Grand En- 
campment of the Order of American Freemen, in this State, 
shall consist, and be composed, of a State Grand Chief, and 
j^'-such members as shall be chosen and elected, to attend and 
be members, of the State Grand Encampment of this State, 
by the several County Encampments of this Order within this 
State ; which members shall be equal in number, in all, to the 
whole number of members, to which this State is and may be 
entitled in both houses of the Legislature of this State, and 
no more, forever: Each county Encampment within this State 
shall be entitled to elect and send members to the State Grand 
Encampment of this State, equal in number to the number of 
members to which such County is entitled in both branches of 
the Legislature of this State, at the time of the election of 
such members, and to no more, forever ; provided, that, if two 
or more Counties in this State, shall be entitled jointly, to one 
member in either house of the Legislature of this State, then 
the County encampments of each of such Counties, so entitled, 
shall elect one person, a member of this Order, each, and 
whose duty it shall be, to meet and confer with each other, at 



14 STATE 

some convenient place, to be determined by them, and name 
and appoint some suitable person, a member of this Order, and 
not one of their number, to attend and be a member of the 
State Grand Encampment of this State, and they shall certify 
him to that effect ; but all other members' certificates shall be 
attested by the Setjretary, and impressed with the seal of such 
member's County Encampment. 

ARTICLE II. 

The regular meetings of this State Grand Encampment shall 
be held biennially, upon, and including, the fourth day of July 
of each biennial year, at the seat of Government of this State, 
and it sliall be governed in its proceedings and business by the 
parliamentary rules laid down in Jefferson's Manual. Its 
first session shall commence and be held upon, and including, 
tfie fourth day of July, A. D. one thousand eight hundred 
and sixty-three, and it shall be convened, and in session 
every second year thereafter, including each and every bien- 
nial fourth day of July thereafter forever, and shall trans 
act such business at such biennial sessions, as shall be required 
thereof by the Constitution and order of the National Grand 
Eiieamj)ment of the United States, of this Order, and such 
other business as a majority of the members present thereat 
shall deem proper and required for the good of the Order. 

Wu< a^hlt' u> ^ Tfw vi^^'^^RTICLE III. '■ • * ' ■• /^ • ''^^^ 
The Grand Chief of the State Gj-^nd Encampment of this 
State, and the Deputy State'^Urand Chief' thereof, shall hold 
their positions, as such, for the term of four years from and 
after their election by a majority of all tlie votes of the mem- 
bers of the State Grand Encampment cast therefor, and until 
their successors are elected and installed; and the first election 
of such State and Deputy State Grand Chiels, shall be upon 
and during the biennial session of this State Grand Encamp- 
ment to be held in the year A. D. one thousand eight hundred 
and sixty-three, and such election shall be held every fourth 
year thereafter, forever; but notliing in this Constitution sliall 
preclude or prevent the National Grand Chief of this Order 
from appointing a State Grand Chief in this State for the pur- 



//7 



CONSTITUTION. 15 

pose of the organization of Subordinate Encampments herein, 
provided that such appointed State Grand Chief shall hold his 
position as such only until the fourth day of July, A. D. 1863, 
by virtue of such appointment. 

ARTICLE IV. 

In case of the decease of the State Grand Chief, during the 
the term of his office, the State Deputy Grand Chief shall dis- 
charge his immediate duties as such; and in case of the death 
of both of those officers, during the term of their office, the 
State Grand Encampment, at its next meeting subsequent to 
such decease, shall elect a State Grand Chief, to hold tlie un- 
expired remainder of the term of such deceased Grand Chief, 
and such elected State Grand Chief shall thence discharge all 
the duties pertaining to the position of State Grand Chief in 
this State, during such unexpired term. 

ARTICLE V. 

It shall be the duty of the State Grand Chief, at every- bi; 
ennial session of the State Grand EncRmpment of this Order 
in this State, to submit such views respecting national matters 
and especially matters connected with the immediate interests 
of this State, as he may deem proper, upon its convening, to 
be discussed and determined upon by the Encampment ; to re- 
commend such action, and such reforms, as he may deem neces- 
sary; to give such advice, as sound moralitv and good govern- 
ment, he may think fit and required in the State; to preside at 
the meetings of the State Grand Enccampment, or in his ab- 
sence, and the absence of the Deputy State Grand Chief, to 
appoint some suitable member of the Encampment to preside 
pro tern., i&Ms-Sths&^ce-, to transmit to the National Grand 
Chief, semi-annually, all moneys required of him by the Con- 
stitution of the Grand National Encampment of this Order; 
and to obey all requirements of that Constitution, under 
penalty of ^erjsai execration and disgrace, for failing so to do; 
and he shall, in matters advisory to the Governor of this State, 
in person or by letter, communicate to the Governor the wishes 
and requests of the State Grand Encampment, expressed 
therein, by resolution or otherwise, required of him so to do. 



16 STATE 

ARTICLE VI. 

The Governor of tins State, after having taken liis inaugural 
oath, shall be, ex officio, upon his request, admitted a member 
o-u^^v of the State Grand Encampment, but before entering the same 
as a member, he shall be required to take an obligation to keep 
secret and inviolate forever, any knowledge he may gain therein 
of the Ritual of the Order. In like manner and under the same 
restrictions, the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and 
all loyal Judges of Judicial Courts of Record in this State, 
while acting as such Judges, and all loyal clergymen, may be 
admitted members of this Order, and by permission of a ma- 
jority of members thereof, to seats in this State Grand En- 
campment ; but neither the Governor of this State, nor any 
officers of the State above named, shall have control, or any 
voice in this State Grand Encampment, except by permission 
thereof, and then only as suggestive and advisory. 

, - ARTICLE VII. 

The State Grand Encampment of this State shall recommend, 
by a majority of all the votes cast therein, in which each dele- 
gate shall be entitled to one vote, (and no proxy vote shall be 
cast,) endit shall have p(ywer to nomi^mte, -by suck^^^mgarity, 
men, from ihc Order of American Freemen, or otherwise, as 
suitable candidates for election to the several State elective 
offices of this State, and to be elected in this State by the 
votes of the citizens thereof; and in making such recommen- 
dation, or nomination, the State Grand Encampment shall have 
and exercise especial vigilencc and care, that they name patri- 
otic, capable, honest, truthful, conscientious, and moral men, 
to the several elective State offices, for tlic support of the peo- 
ple of this State ; provided that no man who shall have sought 
and electioneered for such office or offices, either by himself or 
friends, except in so far as the patriotic, good, and worthy acts 
of such person or persons shall and may have recommended 
him or them, for recommendation or nomination, by the State 
Grand Encampment, that our State may never be disgraced by 
any act, or in the person, of its Chief Executive. 



/n 



CONSTITUTION. 17 

ARTICLE YIII. 

The powers of tlio State Grrand Encampment of our Order 
in this State, shall be moral and advisory only, forever ; nor 
shall it at any time, nor any of its members, encourage a re- 
sort to physical force, except in conformity to law, and at the 
request of, and to assist the Governor of this State to put 
down violators of law therein, insurrectionists, traitors or 
rebels against the authority of this State, within the jurisdic- 
tion thereof, or to assist (he General Government of these 
United States of America against the attacks of foes without 
or traitors within its jurisdiction. 

ARTICLE IX. 

The State Grand Chief of 'Our Qrder in this State, in cases 
of great emergency, aftd if called upon so to do by the County 
Chiefs of nine County Encampments in this State, shall have 
power to call and require extra sessions of the State Grand 
Encampment of this State, at the capital thereof, at such time 
as in his judgment he may deem proper ; and to this end he 
shall have power to direct and require the County Chiefs of 
the several County Encampments of this State to call sessions 
of their several County Encampments, for the purpose of elect- 
ing delegates to such called session of tlie State Grand En- 
campment, which delegates shall be elected in the manner 
herein before provided for the election of members to the bien- 
nial sessions of the State Grand Encampment, and shall attend 
such called session of the State Grand Encampment. 

ARTICLE X. 

The State Grand Chief shall have a supervisory control over 
the actions of County Chiefs of County Encampments as such 
in this State, and he shall have power to remove, and shall 
remove, the County Chief of any County Encampment in this 
State from his position as such Chief, upon the solemn repre- 
sentation (under their seals) of three Subordinate Encamp- 
ments of such County, that such County Chief has been guilt}' 
of any act unworthy his position as such, or as a member of 
the Order of American Freemen, and in case of such removal, 



18 STATE CONSTITUTION. 

the County Encampment of such County, at its next session 
subsequent thereto, shall elect a County Chief, to hold the 
remainder of the unexpired term of the Chief removed, and 
sucli County Encampment when convened, may transact such 
business for the good ol our Order in that County, as to the 
members may seem fit. 

ARTICLE XI. 

This State Grand Encampment may pass such needful rules 
and regulations, not in violation of the Constitutions of the 
Order of American Freemen, as the good of the Order in this 
State may require; but this Constitution shall remain unchanged 
forever, unless the same be amended as provided in Article 
XIV of the Constitution of the Grand National Encampment 
of the Order of American Freemen, of the United States of 
America. 



//f 



COUNTY CONSTITUTION, 



^^..3*-.«^-^ - ARTICLE I. 

This County Encampment of the Order of American Free- 
men, shall consist and be composed of, a County Chief, and 
of such members as may be elected and chosen thereto, by the 
several Subordinate Encampments within this County, which 
Subordinate Encampments shall be entitled to one member 
herein for every fifty persons, members of such Subordinate 
Encampment, and one vote for every fraction of members over 
twenty-five ; but every subordinate Encampment shall be enti- 
tled to one member herein, and each member accredited hereto, 
shall present to the Chief of the Encampment his certificate of 
election as delegate, under the seal of the Encampment which 
he represents, and attested by its Secretary. 

ARTICLE II. 

A County Chief, a member of this Order by the reception of 
the Degrees — White, Red and Blue — in due form, shall be 
elected biennially and by a majority of all the votes cast 
therefor, at the annual meeting of this County Encampment of 
the Order of American Freemen, held, and which shall be 
held, on and including the Fourth day of July of each and 
every biennial year thereafter forever ; and he shall hold his 
office as such, for and during the term of two years thence 
thereafter, and until his successor shall be elected ^^^d installed. 

ARTICLE III. 

A meeting of this County Encampment shall be held on the 
third Monday in May of each biennial year, for the purpose of 
electing members to the biennial sessions of the State Grand 



20 COUNTY CONSTITUTION. 

Encainpineut of our Order in this State, and the first hiennial 
session of tliis Encampment shall be held in and during the 
year A. D., one thousand eight liundrcd and sixty-three, and 
biennial sessions shall be held of this Encampment, for that 
purpose, thence thereafter forever. 

ARTICLE IV. 

A meeting of this Encampment shall be held annually, on 
and including the fourth day of July of each and every year 
forever, and at such meeting the members thereof shall recom- 
mend (when County officers are to be elected) and may nomin- 
ate, honest, capable, worthy and patriotic men, members of 
our Order or otherwise, for the different official positions and 
offices to Avhich men are to be elected within this County, during 
the year of such meeting, for the support of the people by 
their votes, hut a majority of all the votes cast by the members 
shall be necessary to make such recommendation or nomina- 
tion ; but no man seeking a nomination or recommendation by 
himself or friends in or from this Encampment, except as the 
talent, honesty, patriotism and moral worth of such person 
shall have alone recommended him as a suitable person to fill 
the position required to be recommended or- nominated to, shall 
be recommended or nominated by this Encampment, that our 
County and State relations and business may be properly 
conducted forever. At such meetings this Encampment may 
do, and transact such business, not in violation of the Consti- 
tutions of the Order, as to the Encampment may seem fit. 

ARTICLE V. 

This Constitution shall be amended only by and through the 
Grand National Encampment, and tlien as ])rovided for in the 
Constitution of the Grand National Encampment of the Order 
of American Freemen, of the United States of America. 



/X/P 



SUBORDINATE ENCAMPMENT CONSTITUTION. 



ARTICLE I. 

This Encampment shall be called and known as ((^£];i^ifi:^**;^;;5^ 
' ^ Encampment, number^ J <.. ;, of the Order of Ameri- 
can Freemen, within the State of v^,j*-^/t^^^^5*' of the United 
States of America. ~ ^ 

ARTICLE IL 
None but a free Avhite person, of good moral character, of 
the age of ^gKs^^^se- years, a believer in the Supreme Being, 
and a known and acknowledged lover of free American insti- 
tutions, and the Constitutional Government of the United 
States, shall ever be proposed to, or admitted as a member of 
this Encampment, under penalty of suspension or expulsion 
from this Order, or otlier penalty as this Encampment may see 
lit to impose, on the member proposing sucli unworthy can- 
didate. 

ARTICLE III. 

The name, age, residence and occupation of all candidates 
proposed for the Degrees conferred herein, shall be handed to 
the Secretary, in writing, by the party, or members proposing 
the same; and each name shall be read in open Encampment ; 
and if seven or more brothers object to the admission of any 
person proposed, such person shall be rejected ; but should 
seven persons not object, the candidate, or candidates, may be 
initiated at the same meeting he or they may be proposed ; but 
five brothers objecting to an applicant's receiving the Red De- 
gree, and three brothers objecting to an applicant's receiving 
the Blue Degree of our Order, shall reject such applicant for 
such Degrees ; and no person expelled from another Encamp- 



22 SUBORDINATE ENCAMPMENT 

merit of this Order shall be admitted as a member of this En- 
campment unless he shall have been first restored to member- 
ship in his former Encampment, and presents to this Encamp- 
ment his card of honorable dismissal therefrom; and each mem- 
ber of this Encampment shall pay into its treasury twelve and 
one-half cents monthly, or twenty-five cents every two months. 

ARTICLE lY. r.^,..c^ 

This Encampment shall meet for military drill, and business, 
on evening of , (not less 

than one evening during each and every month,) and shall 
open for work at o'clock P. M., and eight members of the 
Encampment shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of 
business' aji.d special meetings may be called by the Chief of 
the Encampment at such time as he shall require, or by the 
concurrent call of the Colonel and Captain in absence of the 
Chief; but this shall not prohibit the holding of meetings 
oftener if the Encampment shall so determine; but no meeting 
shall be deemed valid for any purpose, unless its Charter and 
seal be in the Encampment from and after the Encampment 
shall have obtained the same ; and the membership of this En- 
campment shall at no time exceed two hundred and fifty men. 

ARTICLE V. 

The device of the Seal of this encampment shall be 
and the figures and letters 1861—0. A. F.— 1776— 

Encampment, engraved thereon, and it shall be held and kept 
in the especial control and custody of the Secretary, unless 
confided by liim to the custody of the Chief. . 




Upon meetings of tjiis'l^ncampmeni, when no degrees are 
nterred, tlic condition of th.e*{(ffairs of this State, or of the 
nation of the United States, shall be discussed, or reach and 
lessons in patriotism, or the liigli duties we owe to our Govern- \ 
ment and free institutions, and suggesting the best means for 
their preservation, forever, shall be given by the Chief or by 
some member of the Order, upon his request ; but no sugges- 
tion, shall be made at any time, in this Encampment, recom- 1 

• * ' * ^ ^ ^ y— ^^^ '■' / 



CONSTITUTION. 23 

mendins^ that the General Government of these United States 
interfere with the municipal reQ;ulations of any of the indi- 
vidual or several States of this Union, unless such individual 
State, or States, be in insurrection or in rebellion against the | 

authority of the General Government of the United States, 
nor, that, except under like circumstances, the Government of 
any one or more of the States of this Union should interfere 
with the municipal regulations of another State thereof. 

ARTICLE VII. 
The officers of this Encampment shall consist of a Chief, 
Colonel, Captain, Marshal, Secretary, Treasurer, Lieutenant, 
Sentinel and Outer Guard, and, except such as may be ap- 
pointed by the Grand Cliief, or his representative, upon its 
organization, shall be elected annually, by ballot, in their or- 
der, at the last meeting in the month of May of each year, and 
shall hold their offices for and during the term of one year 
thereafter, and until their successors shall be elected and in- 
stalled, and each of such officers shall receive a majority of all 
the votes cast therefor in the Encampment^ *>l vlv* *< ^ j^ i.*.4-iwuiAj^ 

iiyf-tX^ 2^ i^\ ARTICLE YIII. 6t*-»^L><»-vw<^* ;" 

The officers of this Encampment shall attend upon its regu- 
lar meetings, under penalty of the payment of fifty cents into 
the treasury thereof, unless good and sufficient and reasonable 
excuse be given by such officer, for non-attendance, to be judged 
of by the Encampment; and they shall severally discharge, and 
within a reasonable time commit to memory, their several du- 
ties prescribed in the Ritual of our Order, and they shall sev- 
erally discharge such other reasonable duties as may be re- 
quired of them by the Bye-Laws of this Encampment no "in- 
consistent with the Constitutions of our Order. 

ARTICLE IX. 

It shall be the duty of the Chief, to preside in the Encamp- i 

ment ; to enforce a strict observance of the Constitutions and 
rules of the Order ; to obey the directions and requirements 
of the National . Grand Chief of the United States, or his 



24 



SUBORDINATE ENCAMPMENT 



representative, and of the State Grand Chief of this State, of 
this Order, in matters pertaining- tliereto, together with the 
State and National Grand Encampments of our Order; to see 
that all the officers of tliis Encampment perform their respec- 
tive duties herein; to appoint all Committees, unless motion is 
otherwise specially made; to announce all ballotings to the 
Encampment, with the result thereof; to decide all questions 
of order arising herein ; to give the casting vote in cases 
of tie ; to convene special meetings in case of the decease of 
a member in good standing in the Encampment ; to draw 
warrants upon the Treasurer for all sums of money, the 
payment whereof is ordered by the Encampment ; to be gov- 
erned in, and to control the conduct of, all business of the En- 
campment by the parliamentary usages laid down in Jefferson's 
Manual ; to discharge all the duties demanded of him by the 
Ritual of our Order, and to have sole and exclusive charge of 
the Charter of this Encampment, and of the Ritual of our Or- 
der, except during the ceremony of conferring Degrees. 

ARTICLE X. 

The Colonel of the Encampment shall assist the Cliief, and 
in the Chief's absence shall preside, and the Captain, Marshal, 
Lieutenant, Sentinel and Outer Guard, shall severally discharge 
their duties as required by tlie Ritual of our Order, and such 
other duties as may be prescribed in our Bye-Laws. 

ARTICLE XL 

The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of the pro- 
ceedings of the Encami)ment, write all communications di- 
rected by it, and affix the seal of tlic Encampment thereto; fill 
out all notices ; attest all warrants drawn by the Chief on the 
Treasurer, in conformity with tlie order of the Encampment or 
the Constitutions of our Order, Itut not otlierwise ; to keep a 
correct roll of the members of the Encampment, with their 
place of residence; to sign all degree certificates, and deliver 
them, on })aynient of twenty-five cents, to })arties entitled to, 
and claiming tlie same by virtue of degrees taken, which sum 
and each thereof, together with all fees and dues received by 



CONSTITUTION. 25 

him, he shall pay into the treasury of the Encampment. He 
shall, also, at the end of each and every two months make out 
and read in open Encampment, a correct report of all work 
performed, and moneys received by him on account of the En- 
campment during the two months last preceding the making of 
such report ; pay all moneys received by him therein to the 
Treasurer, and take the Treasurer's receipt therefor, and at 
the expiration of his official term he shall deliver up all books, 
papers, and other things in his possession, belonging to the En- 
campment, to his successor in office. He shall, also, inform 
the State Grand Chief of this State, of all rejections and ex- 
pulsions, by the Encampment, with the real or supposed cause 
thereof; report to the same Grand officer the condition, mem- "^ 
bership, &c., of this Encampment, annually, in and during the 
month of May of each year, and before the twentieth day of 
said month, and perform such other duties as may be required; 
and he may receive for his services (not exceeding one 

dollar and seventy-five cents) per evening of labor in the En- 
campment. 

ARTICLE Xn. 

The Treasurer of this Encampment shall transmit ih^one- 
haff^plCTlrtjf all I't lone v-s .receired for fees ami dues from the 
members of the Encampment exceeding thfiLiiecessary. expenses 
of tliis Encampment, btrfe not less than one, dollar annually for 
each member thereof, togetlierwith all contributions to the vol- 
unteer, or widows and orplians of volunteers, fund, made in ^ 
this Encampment, at the expiration of each and every SSr stt--'^ 
months,.^ to the State Grand Chief of this State, and he shall 
discharge such other duties as the Constitutions of our Order, 
Z'*'^^' , and the Bye-Laws of this Encampment require. 

d.^ c^ ^cs^-t^ Ir "^'article XHL 

This Encampment may at any time, after two weeks notice 
make such additional laws, not in violation of the Constitutions 
of the Order of American Freemen, as tlie wise regulation and 
good government thereof shall seem to require ; but the Con- 
stitution of this Encampment shall remain unchanged, forever, 



0^\ ' 



26 SUBORDINATE ENCAMPMENT CONSTITUTION. 

unless it be amended in conformity with the requirements of 
the Constitution of the National Grand Encampment of the 
Order of American Freemen, of the United States of America. 

ARTICLE XIV. 

Drunkenness, other immoral conduct, and the commission of 
crime, by any member of this Encampment, shall be cause for 
suspension or expulsion herefrom, as a majority of the mem- 
bers of this Encampment shall determine ; and no habitual 
drunkard, or grossly immoral person, shall be honored by 
burial according to the forms of the " Burial Service " of our 
Order. 

ARTICLE XV. 

No officer of this Encampment shall hold the same position 
during two successive terms of office herein ; but this Article 
shall not apply to any officers appointed by the National Grand 
Chief or his representative upon its organization. 



j^^rni .rr'rxn 









f 



/xs 



INSTALLATION SERVICE. 



Installation service of the Order of American Freemen, of 
the United States of America. 

[Encampment in session ; national ensign festooned behind 
Chief. An alarm (two raps) is given at the inner door. The 
sentinel announces " the Honorable State Grand Chief, (or the 

representative of, &c..) of the State of ." The Chief 

answers, " He will be admitted with proper ceremonies, and 
through the ranks of Freemen. Marshal: you will prepare for 
the Admission of the Grand Chief (or his representative &c.,) 
to this Encampment." The Marshal then forms tw^; ^iuiks or 
lines of men as in forming a " living wall," from the door of 
entrance to the flag suspended over the center. The door is 
then opened by the Marslial, who pronounces the words — 
"Worthy Chief," whereupon the Chief enters, and accompanied 
by the Marshal passes up through the open column, turns to 
the right or left as necessary, faces to the Chief, and halts 
beneath the flag, the Chief of the Encampment advancing in 
front of his station. As the Grand Chief enters, music, "Hail 
to the Chief," should be had if practicable. After music ceases, 
or in its absence, upon the Grand Chief's halting beneath the 
flag, the Chief of the Encampment greets him with, " Hail 
Worthy Chief, to this Encampment." He then advances, and 
taking the Grand Chief by the right hand, aud taking hold of 
his right arm above the elbow conducts him to the Chief's 
station, and seats the Encampment, taking his seat on the left 
of the Grand Chief. Upon the entry of the Grand Chief, the 
members of the Encampment not in columns, rise.] * 

Grand Chief. — (Arising.) My brothers : I appear before 
you, for the purpose of installing your officers for the current 



28 INSTALLATION 

term. The officers in command will please vacate their res- 
pective stations, and surrender the Camp into my hands. (This 
is done.) 

Grand Chief. — The Secretary of this Encampment, will 
read the names of the officers elect for the current term. (The 
Secretary reads as ordered.) 

Grand Cjiief. — Brethren : you have heard the names of 
your officers elect read over by the Secretary. Does any 
brother present object to their installation ? (Pause.) 

Grand Chief. — My worthy brother Marshal, are these 
brothers elect duly qualified for installation by having received 
the Third Degree of our Order in proper form ? 

Marshal. — They are, Worthy Grand Chief. 

Grand Chief. — (To past Chief.) My worthy brother and 
past Chief of this Encampment : you will now, in their order 
commencing with the Chief elect, present the officers elect before 
me for instruction, according to our forms and ceremonies. 
(The past Chief presents the Chief elect.) 

Past Chief. — Worthy Grand Chief: I have the pleasure of 
presenting to you our worthy Brother , who has been- 

duly elected Chief of this Encampment. (The foregoing is the 
manner of presenting each of the officers elect.) 

Grand Chief. — Brother , you have been elected 

Chief of this Encampment. Do you accept the appointment ? 
(Answer, I do.) 

Grand Chief. — Previous to your installation, my brother, 
it is proper that you should publicly manifest your assent to 
certain questions which will now be asked you. You will 
place your right hand over your heart in token of your sincer- 
ity, and answer those questions, conscientiously to the best of 
your ability. Do you recognize the legal and binding author- 
ity of the Grand National Chief of this Order, of tlie United 
States of America ; of the State Grand Chief of this State ; 
and do you solemnly promise to observe and cheerfully to obey 
their orders, when not in violation of your political or relig- 
ious principles and opinions, or your duties to yourself, your 
neighbor, your Country or your God? (Answer, I do.) 

Grand Chief. — Do you solemnly promise, to keep and pre- 



/^-^ 



SERVICE. 29 

serve inviolate, the Constitution, and the laws declared consti- 
tutional by competent authority, of the United States of 
America, and of this State ; together with the Constitution of 
the National Grand Encampment of this Order, of the United 
States of America ; of the State Grand Encampment of this 
State ; of tlie County Encampment of this County ; and the 
Constitution of this Encampment, together with the Ritual of 
the Order of American Freemen, in so far as such Encampment, 
Constitutions and Ritual are not in violation of the Constitu- 
tion of the United States of America, and the Constitution of 
this State? (Answer, I do.) 

Do you solemnly promise that the Charter, by the authority 
of which this Encampment exists, shall always remain in your 
possession, unless called for by the National Grand Chief of 
the United States, or by tiie State Grand Chief of this State, 
in our Order, or demanded by his representativ'e at and upon 
the installation of your successor in office ? (Answer, I do.) 

Do you promise that you will read or cause to be read in 
your Encampment, at least once in every three months the 
Constitutions of our Order ; and that the Constitutions and 
Ritual of our Order shall always remain in your hands, and 
within your immediate control, (except at such times as this 
Encampment is in session, Avhen it may be used for tlie purposes 
of initiation or conferring degrees) until called for by some 
Grand. Chief, authorized so to do, or it be delivered to your 
successor in office upon his installation? (Answer, I do.) 

Do you promise to admit no visitor or visitors to this En- 
campment, (except those who come forward for initiation,) 
unless he, or they, send into the Encampment from the ante- 
room, or show to you a degree certificate under seal of his 
Encampment and attested by its Secretary; unless of your own 
personal knowledge or legal information, received from a known 
brother of this Order, you are fully satisfied that he is a mem- 
ber of the Order of American Freemen. (Answer, I do.) 

Do you promise in all things to encourage and support the 
interests of this Order, and to inculcate in all men, youths and 
children, a love for the Union of these United States, the Con- 
stitution and laws thereof, to the best of your ability. (An- 
swer, I do.) 



30- INSTALLATION 

My Brother : In consequence of your clieerful compliance 
■with the rules and regulations of our Order, you will now be 
conducted to the position or place of the Chief of this Encamp- 
ment of American Freemen, where you will be further instruct- 
ed in your duties as Chief. (The Grand Chief takes the Chief 
being installed by the right hand, grasping the right arm above 
the elbow, and conducts and seats him in his chair. He then 
places a turban of colors, white, red and blue intermixed, with 
frontispiece of thirty-four stars on blue ground, upon his head, 
and standing near him proceeds.) 

My Brother, and Chief: The position in which you are now 
placed, is one which will demand of you constant care and 
watchfulness. Highly honorable to yourself, as the gift of 
American Freemen, may the important trust reposed in you by 
your bretliren, ever be regarded by you, as sacred and inviolate; 
and may the approbation of those around you, and especially 
your own conscience, reward your labors in their behalf. The 
turban placed upon your head, denotes by its blended colors, 
the purity of your intentions in accepting your solemn trust ; 
that yoft will witli zeal discharge your duties to this Encamp- 
ment, and to tlic Order Avhich has admitted you to its highest 
privileges, and that you will l)e truthful in all your intercourse, 
not only with your brethren, but with the world. 

I now place in your hands, the Charter or Warrant, that 
confers upon you authority to govern this Encampment, and 
through which it has an existence. You are never to open or 
close this Encampment, or move Avith it publicly, unless tliis 
Charter is in your possession. You are to consider yourself 
personally responsible to the Grand Chiefs for its safe keeping 
at all times, and the seal of this Encampment must ahvays be in 
your view, during its session. 

The Constitutions and Ritual of our Order, which I now 
place in your possession, you arc to keep, sacred and inviolate. 
When the Encampment is not in session, the Ritual must remain 
in your hands alone. It is not to go into the hands of others, 
whether they be members of this Order or not, except when 
conferring Degrees or during initiation, if necessary, and then 
only to the proper members of this Encampment. When your 



/^6 



SEEVICE. 31 

successor in office shall be elected, and about to be installed by 
tlie Grand Chief or some person representing him, (a member in 
good standing in this Order,) then to a proper person, the officer 
installing, or yourself upon installing your successor, may 
deliver it to him with becoming solemnity, but until then you 
are personally responsible for its safety. You will be careful, 
"Worthy Chief, to see that the Ritual is strictly observed and 
enforced, as uniformity and discipline cannot fail to promote 
the welfare of every department of our organization. 

The gavel, my Brother and Chief, is an emblem of your 
authority. One rap calls the bretliren to order; two raps call 
up the officers of the Encampment ; three raps call up the 
whole Encampment, and when up, one rap seats all. 

Should you be visited by the Chief of another Encampment, 
or by a member of the Grand Encampment of the State or 
Nation, upon his entrance, you will call up the Encampment, 
and salute such brother or Chief as a body, by the sign of the 
First Degree. The same courtesies will be extended when visits 
are received from our brethren of other States. I now leave 
you to the discharge of your duties. (After presenting the 
Chief elect, the past Chief passes over and takes a seat oppo- 
site the Captain.) 

Marshal. — (Presenting the Colonel.) Most Worthy Grand 

Chief : I now present to you for installation, brother 

■ , wiio has been elected Colonel of this Encampment for 

the ensuing term. 

Grand Chief. — Do you, my brother, together with the 
Captain, Marshal, and other officers elect, whom I will now 
ask to advance by the side of their Colonel elect, [all advance 
to the side of the Colonel, in line,] do you all, my brethren, 
accept of the positions to which you have severally been cho- 
sen in this Encampment? [All answer, "I do."] Do you 
cheerfully and heartily accede to the questions which, in your 
hearing, I have propounded to your Chief ? [All answer, " I 
do."] Do you promise to assist him in the discharge of his 
several duties as Chief of this Encampment of Freemen, as 
promised by him here in your presence ; and that you will 
faithfully, to the best of your ability, discharge each the seve- 



32 INSTALLATION 

ral duties of your positions? [Answer,'" I do."] I then, in 
the name of the National Grand Chief of the United States of 
America, and in the name of the State Grand Chief of this 
State, both of the Order of American Freemen, do declare you, 
Wortliy Chief, and you, worthy officers, to be the legally in- 
stalled Chief and officers of tliis Encampment of the Order of 
American Freemen, and I do direct the officers of this En- 
campment, now here installed, to enter upon the disdiarge of 
their several and respective duties. 

[The officers take the positions to which they have been 
elected and installed, and tlie new Chief calls np the En- 
campment.] 

Grand Chief. — Worthy Chief, officers and bretliren of this 
Encjimpment : You are now authorized and empowered to act 
^ as your best and conscientious judgment may dictate, lor the 
eternal preservation of the Union, tlie Constitution, and the 
constitutional laws of these United States of America; for the 
preservation of those liberties which we all inherit as descend- 
ants and adopted children of tlie patriots who fought and bled 
for, and founded this Republic, in the fond hope that it might 
be transmitted, with all its blessings, to their and our latest 
posterity. Your officers, my brethren, have been chosen, and 
you have been organized anew, to remind yon that Liberty is 
ever youthful, and that a free Government, to preserve its lib- 
erties, must ever exercise the vigor and energy of youth, and 
further with a view to the youthful and vigorous perpetuity of 
these United States, thereby promoting the highest interests 
of our organization ; and may tlie blessing of the God of our 
Fathers, the protector of purity, and lover of justice, who 
guides and rules the destinies of nations, as well as individu- 
als, ever remain with you, protect you and direct your acts ; 
and may a spirit of fraternal afl'cction ever pervade your de- 
liberations as an Encampment. You are engaged in a work 
of philanthropy, that concerns not yourselves only, but your 
cliildrcn, and your children's children to remote, future gene- 
rations. May you all remember this, and in after years, " in 
the sere and yellow leaf of your lives," may your memories be 
revered, and blessed, for the determined position you have as- 



SEEVICE. 33 

sumed, tliat the Union of these United States must and shall 
be preserved, and that American liberty shall ever be perpetu- 
ated ; and may your children's children, until the closing act 
of Time, never forget that motto of our Order, chosen from 
the words of our Father Washington: " Eternal vigilence is 
the price of Liberty." 

I thank you, brethren, for your kind attention during the 
impressive ceremonies of installation in our Order. Brother 
Marshal, you will now proclaim the officers of this Encamp- 
ment duly elected and installed for the current term. t'^Ti''^-^ ^.-^J) 

Maeshal. — By the authority of the National Grand Chief 
of our Order in the United States of America, and of the State 
Grand Chief of this State, and in the name of the National 
Grand Encampment of our Order, and of the Grand Encamp- 
ment of this State, I am instructed to, and do, proclaim the 
officers of this Encampment of American Freemen to be duly 
elected and installed, according to the rules and forms of our 
Order. 

[Grand Chief is seated on the right of the new Chief, who 
now calls up the Encampment. 

New Chief. — My brethren: as a first act under the renew- 
ing and reorganizing of the Encampment, let us tune our voices 
as one, in singing " God save America." [Encampment sings.] 
\_M.usic, America.^ 

My country, 'tis of thee, 

Sweet Hnd of Liberty, 

Of thee I sing: 
Land where my fathers died. 
Land of the Pilgrim's pride, 
From every mountain side, 
Let freedom ring. 

My glorious country I thee, 

Land of the noble free. 

Thy name I love ; 
I love thy rocks and rills. 
Thy woods and templed hills. 
My heart with rapture thrills, 
to j^ Like that above. 

^ Our Fathers' God ! to Thee, 

Author of Liberty, 

To Thee we sing. 
Long may our land be bright, 
With Freedom's holy light. 
Protect us, by Thy might, 
Great God ! Our Kiug. 




34 INSTALLATION SERVICE. 

[Immediately after the song the Grand Chief, or his repre- 
sentative, oilers the following prayer:] 

PRAYER. 

Oh, Tliou, God of our Fathers! Thou King of kings! Ma- 
ker and Ruler of the nations of the earth ! Thou God, who 
dost delight in justice, and in truth, and who art the Author 
of Liberty ; Thou who didst in their hour of trial, protect our 
Fathers in their mighty efforts to establish a nation which 
should fear God, and love that liberty which maketh free ; 
Grant, we beseech Thee, Thy blessing and protecting care, to 
rest upon their children, native and adopted, who are now stri- 
ving to maintain that Government, and those institutions of 
freedom, transmitted by them to us. Sustain us, 0, God ! sus- 
tain our Order throughout the length and breadtli of this (once) 
injured land. Sustain our Government, we beseech Thee, and 
make us a happy, peaceful and united people, fearing Thee. 
Bless the officers, and all the members of this Encampment ; 
may they all, and each, discharge their several and collective 
duties, as American citizens, boldly, fearlessly, and faithfully; 
doing right, worshipping and fearing God. Hear us, we pray 
Thee, in Heaven Thy dwelling place, and in Tliy mercy an- 
swer us; and the glory shall be Thine, forever. Amen. 

[Tlie Chief then declares the Encampment adjourned, unless 
the installation be public, in wliich case all signs are omitted, 
and the Encampment returns to its place of business; but such 
installation shall not be publicly held before the_ fourth day of 
July, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.] 

[The badge of the Order is a simple scarf of the colors 
Wliite, Red and Bhic, all or either of them, or any badge of 
the three colors, according to the Degree taken.] 



THE KITUAL. 



THE RITUAL OF THE ORDER OF AMERICAN FREE- 
MEN OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: 

Containing Three Degrees, and no more forever, and the 
forms and ceremonies of which shall be kept secret and invio- 
late until forty years have transpired, from and after the Fourth 
day of July, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one; 
and if the members of the Order of American Freemen, in, and 
throughout the jurisdiction of the United States of America, 
shall, after that time has expired, determine, by a majority of 
all the members above named, which determination shall be 
obtained and made known in analogy with, and in accordance 
to, the Fourteenth Article of the Constitution of the Grand 
National Encampment of this Order, that this Ritual shall be 
made public and known to the world, then the Grand National 
Encampment shall so do; but if the members aforesaid deter- 
mine at such time, by such msjority, that this Ritual shall re- 
main secret and inviolate from the world, then this Ritual of 
our Order shall remain and be kept secret and inviolate for- 
ever. It is hoped that the brethren of the Order will keep the 
Ritual ever a secret from the gaze of the world. 

THE WHITE, OR FIRST DEGREE, Denoting Purity 
of Intention. 

Order of Business. 
Chief. — [Taking his seat and giving one rap with the gavel.^^ 
All present who are not members of the Order of American 
Freemen will please retire ! The officers of the Encampment 
will take their stations, and the Sentinel and Outer Guard will 
take charge of the door. [To the Colonel.'] "Worthy Colonel, 
you will direct the brethren to come to order and give the sign 
of this degree. [The Colonel gives three raps, gives the order ^ 
the sign is given, and one rap by the Chief seats all.] 



36 THE RITUAL. 

Chief. — Tlie Marshal and Lieutenant will see if all present 
are in possession of the grip and password of this Degree, and 
report to the Colonel. {This is done.'] 

Colonel. — Worthy Chief: all present are in possession of 
the gi'ip and password. 

Chief. — [Calling up the Encarnpment.] The brethren will 
repeat with me the obligation which binds us as an Associa- 
tion. [Each clasps his hands in the proper position, and in con- 
cert all repeat the] 

OBLIGATION. 

I, , hereby solemnly pledge, and afQrm, eternal fidelity 

to the vows I have taken in this Order. I also affirm, and sol- 
emnly declare, that I will use every lawful, moral and constitu- 
tional means, to perpetuate the Constitution and the Union of 
the United States of America, and that I will support noman 
for official position, whom I do not believe to be a friendto the 
General Government fof these United States, and a lover of 
free. American institutions. So help me God. 
, [Prayer hy the Chaplain. One rap scats the members.'] 

Jt,^^ ^f-^XjiiiEF. — The Secretary will read the minutes of our last 
nieet[ng. y [Secretary I'eads.] 

""'CmE'F. — If no objection is made, tlie minutes will stand re- 
corded as read, [Paiise.] Has any brother a friend, to pro- 
pose as a candidate for admission into this Encampment? If 
so, he will ])lease give the name, to our worthy Secretary, in 
writing, with the age and residence. [Propositions are re- 
ceived. Rap.] 

Chief. — The Encampment is now ready to confer the White, 
or First Dc^rree of our Order. The Secretary will read the 
names of all who have been proposed, together with the names 
of tlieir vouchers. As tlie names are each read, those willing 
to admit them, will raise the right hand. Those who object, 
the left hand. Seven objecting, will prevent the admission of 
any applicant. [Questimi on each.] 

Chief. — The Secretary will retire and receive the fee from 
the applicants, $1 from each; and tlie Marshal will retire and 
propound to them the necessary questions. 

ANTE-ROOM. 

Secretary. — Gentlemen: you will each give me one dollar, 
the fee for this degree. [Receives it and returns.] 

Marshal. — Gentlemen: you are here for the purpose of be- 
ing initiated in due form, to all the rights and privileges of the 
Order of American Freemen; and, in accordance with our cus- 
tom, we propose to you a few simple, but necessary questions, 



/2.7 



WHITE DEGREE. 37 

which you will answer as your consciences may dictate. Pre- 
vious to answering those questions, however, you will, each of 
you, place your right liand upon this sacred volume, (the Holy 
Bible,) and repeat with me an obligation or affirmation to se- 
crecy. 

OBLIGATION. 

-, do solemnly vow, affirm, and declare, that I will 



not divulge any of the secrets of the Order of American Free- 
men, which I have now obtained, or which I may hereafter re- 
ceive, to any person not a member of this Order; that I will 
support the Constitution, and the Union of the United States 
of America against all foes; and that I will true answers make 
to all questions here asked me. So help me God. 

Marshal. — What is your wliole name ? {^.Unswer?^ 

Marshal. — Wliat is your age ? {Answer. \ 

Marshal. — Where do you reside ? {Ansicer^ 

Marshal. — Are you willing to use all the influence you pos- 
sess towards perpetuating the Constitution and the Union of 
these United States, in their purity, vigor and power, as estab- 
lished by their founders ? {Answer?^ 

Marshal. — Are you willing to prefer those citizens, whether 
native or adopted, for positions of honor, profit, or trust, who 
acknowledge their highest allegiance, under God, to be due to 
the General Government of the United States; who will never 
consent to the withdrawal or secession of a State from the 
Union, once being a member, and who will oppose rebellion 
and insurrection, wherever found within our Government, until 
it is crushed out forever ? {Answer ?\ I am. 

Marshal. — Are you willing to take upon yourselves a sol- 
emn obligation, or promise to the foregoing effect, provided such 
promise shall not be ii>''violation of your conscientious convic- 
tions of duty as men or citizens. {Ans^mr^^ I am. 

Marshal. — Your answers are satisfactory. I will acquaint 
our officers with your desire for admission. Remain, and you 
shall learn their decision. \Enters.~\ 

Marshal.— [5enfa^/i the flag.'] Worthy Chief: I find tlie fol- 
lowing named gentlemen, waiting to be admitted and initiated 
into this Encampment. Each has satisfactorily answered the 
different questions propounded in the ante-room. 

{Reads the names of the applicants.'] 

Chief. — Brothers : You have heard the names of the candi- 
dates. Shall they be admitted, and receive the White Degree 
of our Order? Those in favor of their admission, will say,-, 
aye ! {Response.'] Those opposed will say, no ! ijij^yu>i>*>t-tj 



38 THE RITUAL. 

Chief. — Brother Marshal : You will in due time, admit all 
who hare been declared worthy. [The Marshal retires.^ 

Chief. — Worthy Lieutenant : You will prepare for the ad- 
mission of the candidates through a wall of living men. 

[The Lieutenant forms two squads of members, more or less, 
facing each other, and in open column, about five feet apart, 
and extending from near the door, toward the national flag 
suspended over the centre of the room. This being done, the 
sentinel opens the door, and the Marshal, with the candidates, 
who should march two and two, advances through the open 
column to the center of the room, and beneath the flag, form- 
ing the candidates in perfect line, facing the Chief. The order 
given hy the Marshal to the candidates upon his return to them is, 
"Our Chief desires to see you, and to greet you as his brothers. 
You will advance in couples to his presence.^' While the candi- 
dates are advancing, there should be music, or the beat of a 
drum if convenient.] 

Marshal. — Worthy Chief: Other Americans still live! 
Behold them in your presence ! 

Chief. — Americans ! Learn ! The flag of our country, is 
your shield. You enter here, to learn true patriotism. You 
enter, between walls of living men, consecrated to the salva- 
tion and perpetuation of the Government, and free institutions 
of our beloved country. You enter, between columns of men 
who are ready to lay down their lives, upon the altar of our 
nationality. Look up ! Our flag is over your heads. Look 
np ! and next to your Crod, learn to love that emblem of free- 
dom, of civil and religious liberty. Look up ! and, in your 
heart of hearts, swear, by Him wlio ruleth the nations, that any 
Btar, once added to that number, shall remain in its sacred con- 
stellation, forever, and that no stripe of our noble ensign shall 
ever be disgraced. Protect that Hag ! and whether native, or 
adopted citizen, its ample folds will protect you, in every land 
and in every clime. 

^??imca7w, whether adopted, or to the manor born, are ray 
brothers. Be worthy brothers, of the name you bear, the 
proud, the glorious name, American. The Marshal will now, 
my brothers, conduct you through the ceremonies of this 
degree. 

[The Chief takes his seat, and the Marshal conducts the candi- 
dates to the place of the Colonel and says .*] - ' '^, 

Marshal. — Worthy Colonel : These candidates, having ] 
answered the questions propounded to tlicm, satisfactorily, ; 
and having been received into this Encampment in proper 
form, now seek through you, further instruction in this Degree. 

Colonel. — My Friends : You have thus far, complied with , 

^S^i<^ /A /^'('^ /( (^ ^ ''*/?' ■^'..-r' ^/' yf^A-^-t^ 
O^^.^^U*.^r^^{ ^^y^^^^^^.U -^/t^^-) C^^en^^^^ '/yc^-jf.^^^ 



/^^ 



WHITE DEFREE. 39 

the requirements of our Order, and the manly, open and in- 
genuous manner, with which you have answered all questions 
propounded to you, warrants us in stating briefly, at this time, 
what we expect of you in becoming members of the Order of 
American Freemen. It is expected, and will be required of 
you, that you will on every occasion, readily co-operate with 
the members of this Order, in all its operations and eflbrts to 
maintain and perpetuate, the Union and the Constitution of 
these United States, and to prevent corruption, fraud and dis- 
honesty, in all political circles, and in every political station 
throughout our National and State Governments. With these 
declarations from us, do you desire to proceed, and be invest- 
ed with the rights and privileges of the Order? \They an- 
S2ver.] Brother Marshal, you will conduct these candidates 
again to the presence of the Chief, and announce to him, their ^^ 
readiness to receive the ol)ligation of this degree of our Order, •>! 
in due form. \ Right about face, forward, halt! [The candidates ^ 
are returned to their former position beneath the _flag.\ >■*' 

Marshal. — Worthy Chief : These candidates are now pre- ■' 
sented to you, for the purpose of receiving tlie obligation of 
this Degree of our Order. 

Chief. — Candidates — Americans : If it be your desire to 
be further initiated into the secrets of our Order, you will 
manifest it by saying, aye. [Response, «.yf-] 

Chief. — You will then fold your hands in this manner, and 
repeat the obligation after me ; using your names v/here I use 
mine. [Three Raps.] 

Obligation. — I, , of my own free will, in the presence 

of my God, and overshadowed by the flag of my country, do 
solemnly covenant, avow, and declare, that I will hold sacred, 
and keep inviolate, tlie secrets and mysteries, of the Order of 
American Freemen, of which I am about to be put in posses- 
sion, forever; never to reveal, any of the signs, grips or pass- 
words, unlawfully, to any person or persons, in the world : 
Furthermore : that I will obey, any summons, to attend the 
meeting, of any legally constituted, Encampment if in my 
power, and I will answer and hasten, to the relief of any 
brother in distress, whether at home, in battle, or otherwise ; 
if legally and physically, in my power so to do : Further- 
more, I will never, so long as I am a member of this Order, 
vote for, or support for office, a fraudulent or dishonest person, 
knowingly, nor for any person, but such citizens, native, or 
adopted, as I shall have, sufficient reason to believe, will be 
true and faithful, to the Union and Constitution of the United 
States, as established, by the fathers of this Republic, and that 
I will maintain and support, the Constitutions of this Order, 



40 THE RITUAL. (^7t< 'UvC^-tit^Ir ^ 

and obey all directions, and requirements, and answer all ques- 
tions, of matters within my knowledge, pertainino; to this 
Order, wliich may be made and asked of me, by the National 
Grand Chief, of this Order of American Freemen : Further- 
more, that, should I ever wish to withdraw, from this Order, 
I will hold my obligation, touching the secrecy of it, and all 
secrets I have obtained herein, as binding on me through life. 
All this, I promise in the presence of God, and of men, bind- 
ing mypclf, under the penalty, of having my name posted, in 
every Encampment, throughout tlie United States of America, 
as a base and worthless man, and a traitor, to my God, and 
my country. So help me God. 

Chief. — [Scats the members] — Brother Marshal : You will 
again present these brothers to the worthy Colonel of this En- 
campment. [Order of Marshal: Riir/it about face, foricai'd, /mltf] 

Marshal. — Worthy Colonel : These newly obligated breth- 
ren, are referred to you, for further instruction. 

Colonel. — My brothers: You have now, been initiated in 
part, unto the solemn and binding mysteries of the Order of 
American Freeman, in accordance with its established customs 
and usages. You have taken upon yourselves, voluntarily, the 
obligation of our Order, before God, your Maker, and in the 
presence of your brethren ; not to divulge the secrets of the 
Order, or what transpires in the Encampment under direction 
of secrecy ; or any of the ceremonies of the Degrees, to any 
person or persons, other, tlian to those wliom you know to 
belong to the Order in good and regular standing, or to can- 
didates when receiving the degrees. We welcome you my 
brothers [ivcdking to and shaking; hands with them,] and extend 
to you tlie right hand of good fellowship, with the aflection of 
yrarm hearts and strong hands; desiring if possible, to bind 
ourselves more closely together, and as true American Citizens 
to carry out in tlieir purity, the principles established by the 
patriot sires of this Republic, wliich they liave left to us, as a 
bulwark against tyranny and oppression ; for the perpetuation 
of our Government, and for our protection from the desperate 
hands of traitors at home, or foes from abroad. In becoming 
members of our Order, we do not desire to compel you 
against your consciences, or better judgement, ( should you 
think otherwise) to act with us in our work ; but at any time 
you may wish to withdraw from among us, through consci- 
entious motives (a tiling which we can not conceive) it will be 
our duty, to grant you a dismissal in good faith. But wc can- 
not anticipate such a result. Wc believe that all, who join us 
with laudable, and worthy motives, will work with us, and go 
forward, with a fixed resolution and purpose, to restore, and 



WHITE DEGREE. 41 \ 

keep inviolate, and to transmit to future generations, the pure 
principles of our Government, as laid down and established by 
Washington, Jeiferson, and their compatriots. 

As American citizens, and as brethren, we feel that the at- 
tempts, which, during past years have been, now are, and may 
hereafter be made, to undermine, subvert, overthrow, and 
utterly destroy our Government, and the true principles of our i 

Constitution, must, and shall, be crushed out, destroyed, and 
forever obliterated from existence in our beloved land. Let 
us then my brothers, as sons by birth and adoption, of our 
patriot sires, protect, and transmit the sacred inheritance be- 
queathed us by them, to our posterity's latest generation. Let 
us plant the banner of Freedom, upon every rampart of the 
Republic, and guard it, as a rich legacy, bequeathed to us b}^ 
those who believed us worthy of the sacred trust. Let us not 
falter, nor hesitate : but let us act, as becomes citizens of a 
free, independent, glorious and (once) happy Republic ; a coun- 
try, purchased by the blood of heroes and martyrs, and given 
by them to us, as their last testament, untarnished by an un- 
worthy act. We believe, my brothers, in choosing those men, 
for all offices of honor, profit or trust, whom we know to be 
true to the Constitution and Union of these United States, as 
established by the joint wisdom of the Fatliers ol this Repub- 
lic ; men who are honest, true, and capable, men who have no 
sympathy with traitors in arms against the Government, and 
who will devote every legal means of the Federal or State 
Government, in money and men, and other legal assistance 
within their power, to crush rebellion and insurrection, in 
whatever quarter it may arise. May God forbid ! that rebel- 
lion, should ever again rear its deformed head, in our beloved 
land. Let us, also forbid it, and with stout hearts, and in 
thunder tones, protest, against every act, which shall tend to 
subvert, or weaken, our Government. 

Again we welcome you as brothers. As such, may we ever 
feel and act ; and may we ever, use our best endeavors, to up- 
hold the liberties of our country. You will now register your 
names and residences upon the books of the Secretary ; after 
which, you will receive the work of our Order from the Cap- 
tain of this Encampment. 

[Tlie Marshal gives tlie necessary military orders, and marches 
the brothers to the Secretary's desk, where the direction is 
obeyed by each. The Marshal then forms them, and marches 
them to the Captain's position.] 

Marshal. — Worthy Captain : These brothers are presented 
before you for instruction in the work of our Order. 

Captain. — It affords me great pleasure, my brothers, to 

4^^ ..^wv), v^j^'^^- —^"^'^^T^^ZL- 



42 THE RITUAL. 

place you in possession of tliose means l)y which you can gain 
admittance to our Encampments, and prove yourselves mem- 
bers of our Order. By giving- me your attention you will 
learn our signs, grips and passwords, which are given to all 
members of the Order upon their initiation into our Brother- 
hood. 

Whenever you may visit any place, where you have reason 
to believe an Phicampment of American Freemen to be in ses- 
sion, you will rap upon the outer door, when the Guard 

will partially open it, and place his ear toward you. You will 

ask, what meets here? He will answer, . You will then 

in a whispci" say, . He will answer in a whisper, . 

You will then say, . He will answer, . You will re- 
spond, ; upon which he will admit you to the ante-room. 

At the inner door you give , when the Sentinel will place 

his ear to the wicket. You will whisper, . He will whis- 
per, . You will respond, . He will answer, . 

You will whisper, , whereupon he will admit you. You 

will then proceed to the center of the Encampment and salute 
the Chief, H. R. W.— B. A. C. H., &c. Then right about face, 
and salute, and you will take your seat. 

Our sign of recognition is as follows: When you wish to 
ascertain whether a person is a member, or not, of this Order, 

you will carelessly approach him in this manner H. 0. 

H. R., and P. 0. S. B. H. L. If a brother, he will answer in 

this manner E. L. H. H. R.— U. P. E. R. I, H. L. You 

may then, after administering to him the examination pledge, 
exchange with him the grip, which is made and given in this 

manner P. I. C. H. R. 0. F. L., with these words accom- 

-])anying, P. H. I. M. A. G. I. A., alluding to the power of a 
determined intelligence. This, my brothers, is our secret sum- 
mons to Encampment, , and should you ever notice it in 

any form, it will be your duty to repair to the p]ncampmont 
immediately and learn what is required of you, unless it should 
nuiterially interfere with your business so to do. This is a 
brother's signal of distress, S. D. B. A. D. F. F. A. C. H. B., 
and this is his cry of distress, C. M. A., and should you see 
this sign or hear these words, you must rescue the brother giv- 
iing the same, if legally and physically in your power. 

You are now, my brothers, entitled to receive your certifi- 
jates of Degree on payment of twenty-iive cents each, to the 
"jeeretary, for the benelit of the Encampment; and at the next, 
or any subsequent meeting of this Encampment, on presenta- 
tion of your Degree Certificates, if no objections are made, 
you will be entitled to receive the Second, or Red Degree of 
the Order of American Freemen. The Degree which you have 



/3/ 

WHITE DEGREE. 43 

now taken is called the White Degree, and denotes purity of 
intention. 

Chief. — The newly made brethren will now take their cer- 
tificates, and be seated as members of this Order. [This is 
done.1 

[^Encampment is called up, and all sing " My Country His of 
Thee,^^ Music — America. See installation service.] 

Chief. — [Raps, and while the nation is at tvar, or families of 
volunteers are in loant, says — standing:] My brothers: the ob- 
jects we endeavor to carry into effect are dear to the heart of 
every one who has an attachment for our Government and its 
free institutions. While we are here, quietly enjoying the 
pleasures of society, of our homes and our firesides, many of 
our brethren are on the battle field, generously offering up 
their lives as a sacrifice, upon the altar of our common coun- 
try, that we, and all American citizens, may ever enjoy the 
blessings of o-ood government and civil and religious freedom. 
Many of them," many of their families are in need of assistance. 
Let us, my brothers, lend those valiant sons of glory a helping 
hand. Let every brother present voluntarily contribute some 
small portion of his means for so laudable an object as their 
relief, believing in confidence, that by so doing he strikes a 
blow in defense of American Civil and Religious Liberty. 

[If no further degrees are to be conferred, after the hat or 
box is passed, by the Lieutenant, the Chief declares the En- 
campment closed until . But if the Second Degree is 

to be conferred, the Chief requests all to withdraw but mem- 
beas of the Second Degree, and proceeds to] 



44 THE RITUAL. 

THE RED DEGREE, 

OE THE SECOND DEGREE OF THE ORDER OP AMERICAN FREEMEN, 
OP THE UNITED STATES OP AMERICA; DENOTING DETERMINED 
PURPOSE. 

Chief, — [Raps.] This Eucampraont will be in order. 

Chief. — Colonel, are all present members of the Second De- 
gree of this Order ? 

Colonel. — The Captain and Lieutenant will see that all 
present are members of the Second Degree. [Officers examine 
and report to Colonel.] 

Colonel.— Wortliy Chief: all present are members of the 
Second Degree of our Order. 

Chief. — I do, then, now declare this Encampment open in 
the Second Degree of this Order. [Tkreeraps.] The breth- 
ren will give the proper sign. [One rap.\ 

Chief. — The Secretary will receive the names of the appli- 
cants for this Degree. [Secretary reads.] 

Chief. — All who are willing to recive these applicants will 
fHA^-tlifrsign -of -this Degree. [-S:igngit^en~-G~. A. H. E :-S. h: — 
-&rL. 0. C. HrR.] If any object they will rise to their feet. 

Chief. — The Secretary will retire and receive the fees from 
the applicants for this Degree. The Marshal will also retire 
and discharge his duties as such. 

ANTE-ROOM. 

Secretary. — Brethren, you will please each give me the fee 
of $ for this Degree. [Receives the fees and returns.] 

Marshal. — My brothers: many days have elapsed since you 
were initiated, and admitted on probation, to the first Degree 
of our Order. During your probation the Encampment has 
thought you worthy of promotion, if desired by you, and it be- 
comes my duty to ask you, if from a desire to accomplish the 
noble objects of our Order, and from sincere attachment to its 
principles, you Avish to be invested with the rights, privileges 
and immunities of the Second Degree of this order. [The can- 
didates a?isiver.] Your replies are satisfactory, my brothers. 
You will give me your degree Certificates, that they may pass 
inspection in the Encampment. [Takes the certijicates, enters, 
and passes to the center of the Eneampnient. \ 

]\[arsiial. — Worthy Chief: 1 jiold in my hands the Degree 
Certificates of several First Degree members, who seek ad- 
vancement in our Order. They are as follows: [Reads names 
of applicants.] 

Chief. — Worthy Secretary: arc these brethren entitled to 
the Second Degree of our Order ? 



/3^' 

RED DEGREE. 45 

Secretary. — They are, Worthy Chief. 

Chief. — Brotliers: those who are in favor of receiving the 
applicants will say " aye." \Response.'\ Those opposed, &c., 
*' no." \Jiesponse^^ 

Chief. — The Marshal will retire and discharge his duties. 

The Marshal retires, and waiting a few moments, says, "My 
brothers, I am directed to conduct you into the presence of the 
officers of our Order, where the Second, or Red degree will be 
conferred upon each of you, in accordance with our Ritual. 
You will form in couples, and advance in close columns. 

IN ENCAMPMENT- 

[While the Marshal is in the ante-room, a squad of men, 
about six, under the Lieutenant, with guns in their liands, 
pointed with bayonets if possible, is formed in a line, guns 
perpendicular, on the. opposite side of the room from the door 
through which the candidates are to enter. When tlie rear of 
the column of candidates is wholly within the Encampment, 
the column of soldiers present arms, at the order of the Lieu- 
tenant, and as the rear of the candidates reache- about a yard 
from the door, the soldiers shout, some, " Down with these 
Americans," others shout " Down with these Yankees, Irish, 
Dutch," &c., and at the same moment the Lieutenant gives the 
command to them, " Cliarge, my braves !" Upon the opposite 
side of the room stand two men, one near the door, and be- 
tween it and the wall of the room; the other towards the op- 
posite end of the room, each holding the extreme end of our 
national flag, stretched at the ends by, and attached to rods for 
the purpose, who hold the flag as a wall upon the opposite side 
of tlie candidates from the soldiers, as they enter and pass 
along by its side. When the candid'ates enter, and the soldiers 
charge upon them, the flag is immediately thrown over the 
candidates, and is held partially between them and the sol- 
diers, but not touching the candidates, nor obstrucing their 
view. At the moment this is done, the soldiers halt, and lower 
their guns towards the floor, then surlily break ranks and sneak 
away. As the flag is thrown over the candidates, and after 
the soldiers shout " Down with the Americans," (fee, the Colo- 
nel shouts, " Our Flag protects you ! Fear no harm. Even 
traitors cannot harm you ; and though they should disgrace 
your glorious sliield, their traitorous hands can never humble 
it." The flag is then raised, and the candidates are in proper 
order faced in line to the Colonel, who addresses them.] 

Colonel. — My brothers : The flag wliich you have sworn 
in your hearts to protect, will ever protect you ; at home, from 
the vile assaults of traitors, and abroad, in every land, and in 



46 THE RITUAL. 

every clime, fiom the iudiguities and attacks of every foe. 
Worthy Marshal : To your duty. [The Marshal gives the 
order, and brings the candidates a little past the center^of the 
room and facing tlie Chief, halts.] (^'^^<-'- ,/?'/n. 'K-^'' <'«^ •■/Ju ,.. /■ ./;-t«./u/i 

Colonel.— Worthy Chief: These brothers of the first de- 
gree, now appear before this Encampment for the purpose of 
being further advanced in our mysteries, by taking upon them- 
selves the obligation of the second degree, and tliey now await 
your permission to be invested with the solemn rites of this 
degree of our Order. 

Chief. — My brothers : You have presented yourselves 
before the officers and members of this Encampment, in order 
to be invested witli the rights and privileges of the second 
degree of our Order, and, having proved your loyality to the 
principles on which it is founded, by a strict adherence to our 
rules, during the term of your probation since you were admit- 
ted to membership with us ; it gives mc great pleasure, in be- 
half of the officers and members of this Encampment, to 
welcome you as worthy brothers, justly entitled to further 
advancement by us, in the privileges and benefits of the Order. 
As brothers, we cannot but believe, that you in common with 
ouraielves, feel a deep interest in the ultimate success of our 
Order ; and that you will aid and assist us, in bringing back 
to their original standard, our Union and its principles of 
Government, as understood by its founders. As Chief of this 
Encampment, I will now administer to you, my brothers, the 
obligation of the Red Degree, which you will sevei ally receive, 

by placing your hands in this manner H. 0. F. P. A. C. 

H. B. — and repeating after me, using your names where I use 
mine. 

OBLIGATION. 

[Three raps.] I, , do solemnly promise and affirm, 

before Almighty God and these witnesses, that I will not under 
any circumstances, divulge or make known, any of the secrets ^ 
of this Degree, to any of a lower degree, or to any person 
or persons in tiie world, except to a person or persons receiving 
the same in a legal Encampmeni of this Order, or to a member 
of this degree, in good and regular standing. I furthermore 
covenant and vow, that I will always conform to the will of the 
majority of the members of this Order, when not in violation 
of good conscience, in the recommendation MnJi luluurttm" of 
candidates to fill every office of honor, prolit or trust, Avithin 
the gift of the peoi)lc, provided such candidates, Avhether 
native or adopted citizens, shall be true supporters of the 
Union and Constitution of the United States of America, as 
established by their founders, and I will use all the moral influ- 






/3B 



RED DEGREE. 47 

ence I possess to elect such caiuliclates, be they recoinmenclod 
(mmmmmsetxs^ by any Encampment of this Order authorized so 
to do, unless in violation of my conscience; and that I will use 
all honorable means in my power, to brinsi,- good men and 
citizens into this Order. 

Furthermore, if in my power to prevent it, I will not permit 
the casting of an illegal vote at the ballot box, though it be for 
the candidate of my choice ; and I will conform to the vow I 
have now taken, forever; and I will forever pay strict obedience 
to the Constitutions, Laws, Rules, Ritual, and Edicts of our 
Order ; binding myself under no less a penalty, than of being 
hated and despised by all good and true men, that the memory 
of my baseness may be execrated forever. So help me God. 

Chief. — Brother Marshal : You will present these brothers 
to the Colonel of the Encampment for further instructions. 
[This is do7ie m form.] i->^{--k !- c' ' --^4-- ^- 

Marshal. — Worthy Colonel: By command of the Chief, I 
present you these brethren, who having been regularly admit- 
ted to all the riglits of the First Degree of our Order, and 
having received the obligation of the Second Degree, await 
your instructions. 

Colonel. — My brothers : On a former occasion, you appear- 
ed before us for the purpose of being instructed in the rights 
and principles of the First Degree. In the charges given you 
upon that occasion, the objects for which this Society was 
formed, were explained to you — as a labor of love to our 
country, and as a work which every citizen was called upon to 
perform, to the best of his knowledge and ability. Your at- 
tachment to our principles, during the term of your probation, 
has rendered you eligible to further advancement, and you 
will now be invested in a proper manner with the secrets of 
the Second or Red Degree, with the understanding, that you 
will use all the zeal and influence you j)0ssess, to favor and 
elect, forever hereafter, those candidates for office, who will 
in all cases, and at every hazard, assist in carrying out and 
executing with vigor and energy, the Constitutional laws of 
our country, in every department and in every portion of these 
United States. We have commenced, my brothers, the stupend- 
ous work of bringing back to their original vigor and purity, 
the various departments of our National and State Govern- 
ments ; to force violators of law to the exercise of their 
duties, or at least, to require of them that they permit orderly 
citizens to discharge their duties as such, in quietude and 
peace ; and we shall endeavor at all times, to root out and 
overthrow corruption, fraud and dishonesty, v/herever it may 
be found, whether in our government or in our midst. And in 



48 THE RITUAL. 

addition to this, we desire and intend, that our whole conntry, 
and especially our young men and youths, shall be baptised 
with the spirit of true patriotism, and that a love shall be 
inculcated in their hearts, for tlie sacred and free institutions, 
bequeathed to us by our Fathers. It is a source of regret and 
mortification to us, that in this (once — during war) happy land, 
and among our own native citizens, men have been found, public 
men — men, Avho have occupied high and responsible stations in 
life, who are known to sympathize with, as well as to aid and 
comfort the -worst enemies of our country ; traitors, to its 
constitutional rights and its liberties. My brethren : should 
this state of things be permitted? Ought we to remain idle 
when sappers and miners are digging down the ramparts of 
our government ? May God forbid ! Nay ! rather let 
us, in emulation of that patriotism which was the characteristic 
trait of our revolutionary sires, buckle on the armor of Free- 
dom, repair to the breach, andmeet the foes of our institutions, 
with a determinate resolution to preserve, at all hazards, the 
liberties and existence of our glorious land. Those liberties — 
this loved country of ours — were purchased by the blood of 
our patriot sires. Do they not at this moment look down from 
the spirit-land, upon us, their children, native and adopted, 
with deep tinged sorrow, that we have permitted parricides 

to strike the noblest work of their hands ? Oh Aveep 

my countrymen, that such desolation could befal the land of 
our fathers. 

" God ! of our sires and sons, 
Let other Washingtons 
Our country bless ; 
And by the great and wise 
Of bygone centuries, 
Show that true greatness 
Lies in righteousness." 

My Brethren : — The solemn vows here taken, are regis- 
tered in Heaven. We dare not violate them — forever. The 
time has come for action. We are called upon to choose be- 
tween American liberty, as established by the heroes of 1776, 
and anarchy, as attempted to be established in this our day. 
Our homes and firesides, our liberties, are in danger, and the 
traitor's red riglit iiand has been raised to crush our nation 
forever. Shall it be? Nay, rather, let us, with the united 
voice and the strong arm of the freemen of a great nation, 
crush out such foul attempts forever. Cordially, again, we 
welcome you my brothers ; you will now again repair to the 
desk of the Se:jretary, upon whose books you will register your 
names as members of the Red Degree of the Order of Ameri- 



RED DECxREE. 49 

can Freemen. You will obtain your certificates from the Sec- 
retary, and the Worthy Captain of our Encampment will in- 
struct you in the work of tliis Degree. [The candidates obey 
the direction, and while doing so the Chief declares the En- J"'''^*''^^ 
campment " at Recess." In a few moments after the candi- ^»^*^; 
dates receive their certificates, the Chief calls the Encamp- t^^^ f*^ 
ment to order — one rap. During recess, no ingress or egress 
is permitted, to or from, the Encampment, nor at any time, 
except by special permission from the Chief. Candidates, 
with Marshal at the Captain's station, which is on the right 
hand side of the room, midway between the Colonel and Chief, 
who occupy opposite ends of the room.] 

Marshal.— Worthy Captain : By order of our Colonel, I 
present these brethren to you, for instruction in the work of 
this Degree. 

Captain. — My Brothers : Permit me to congratulate you, 
upon being deemed worthy of being invested with the rights 
and privileges of the Second or Red Degree of this Order, 
devoting energy, or determined purpose ; and here, to state, 
that the vSuccess which has thus far attended our efibrts for the 
redemption of our country, has exceeded our most sanguine 
cx| ectatious. In numbers, we are indeed formidable, and 
even in political influence we cannot fail to exercise a salutary 
effect, to guide and direct, as well as govern — and control the 
balance of power at the ballot box. You have pledged your- 
selves, by all legal and proper means to induce others, to join 
our organization ; but be careful my brothers, to recommend no 
one for admission here, who is not a man of truth, and true to 
the principles of our Government. No Secessionist in principle, 
or Abolitiouist, should ever be invited within, or permitted to 
enter, these sacred courts ; for the man who will be untrue to 
the just and upright Government of a free people, will be un- 
true to his obligation should opportunity offer, for breaking 
it. Upon approaching the door of our Encampment, while 
laboring in this Degree, the same ceremony and pass, as in the 
First Degree, will admit you to the ante-room. At the inner 

door you will whisper J . Ycu will be answered 

. You will then respond , upon which you will be 

admitted. You will then proceed to the center of the Encamp- 
ment and give this sign. B. 0. C. H. R. A.— C. A. H. A. E. 
H. L., facing the Chief. You will then be seated. 

The sign of recognition of this Degree is this ; A. P.; and 
the response is this : H. 0. H. L. 

You will now retire, work your way into the Encampment 
and salute our Worthy Chief. [This order is obeyed.] 

Chief. — The brethren will now be seated as members of the 



50 THE RITUAL. 

Second Dc.fjree. [It no further business is required, the Chief 

declares the Encampment closed until , at — o'clock 

— M. But if business is to be done in the Third Degree he 
then proceeds to.] 



THE BLUE, OR THIRD DEGREE. 

Chief. — [One rap.] We are now about to open the En- 
campment in the Third Degree of this Order. All who have 
not taken the same will please retire. The Marshal and Lieu- 
tenant will receive the grip and password of the Third Degree 
from the brethren present, and report to me. [Done.\ 

Marshal. — Worthy Chief, there are none present but mem- 
bers of the Third Degree. 

Chief. — I now declare this Encampment open and ready for 
business upon the Third Degree of our Order. Worthy Secre- 
tary: are there any communications or bills upon your desk? 
[// any, they are readJ] 

Chief. — Reports of Committees are in order. 

Chief. — Unlinished business is in order. 

Chief. — Is any new business to be brought before this En- 
campment ? 

Tlie Secretary will please read the names of those who are 
eligible to receive the Third Degree of our Order. As the 
names ai"e read, those who desire their admifsion will say 
"aye," and those opposed will say "no," as the vote is taken 
on each name. But three votes " no " will reject the applicant. 
\_Jfames read and votes taken.] 

Chief. — The Secretary will retire and receive the fee, $ — , 
from the applicants, and the Marshal will retire and discharge 
his duties in conferring this Degree. 

ANTE-ROOM. 

Second Degree Members present. 
Marshal. — My brothers: many days have elapsed since you 
were invested with the rights and privileges of the Second 
Degree of our Order, and you have presented yourselves on 
this occasion, in order to receive the highest honors which a 
subordinate Encampment can conler upon its members. In 
conferring this Degree, my In-others, we renew, at the shrine 
of American Liberty, those vows which are alone calculated to 

,- ^. . 



'i 



/3S 

BLUE DEGREE, 51 

restore our beloved country to its primitive purity, and we ex- 
t end to you those heartfelt wislies for your future prosperity 
and happiness, which can only gush forth like living watei-s 
from true American hearts, which beat in unison as they seek 
to promote the best interests of the noblest nation to which 
God has ever given existence. Avowing your dceproored at- 
tachment to the principles which govern our Order, do you 
severally declare it a voluntary act on your parts, in demand- 
ing of us the rights and privileges of the Third Degree of our 
Order? \The candidates answer.'] Your replies are satisfac- 
tory, my brethren. 1 will now receive your Second Degree 
certificates, that they may pass inspection by Ihe officers of the 
Encampment. [The Marshal enter <i.] 

Marshal. — Worthy Clucf: I hold in my hands the Degree 
Certificates of several Second Degree members, who seek the 
high honors of the Third Degree. \^Reads the certificates.'] 

Chief — Brothers: you have heard the names of the candi- 
dates read, who desire the high honor of being promoted to 
the Third Degree of our Oraer. Those who wish their ad- 
vancement will say " aye," at the rap of the gavel. [Raps.'] 
Those of a contrary opinion will say "no," at the same. [Ea/J5.j 
Worthy Secretary, are the fees of these applicants paid ? [An- 
swer.] Worthy Marshal, you will retire in the further dis- 
charge of your duties. 

ANTE-ROOM. 

Marshal. — My brothers: it gives me pleasure to state, that 
you have been elected as members of the Third Degree of our 
Order. You Avill form in couples and advance as in former 
Degrees. 

[Immediately as the Marshal goes into the ante-room for the 
candidates, the Chief gives three raps, and the members rise 
to their feet. The Chief walks nearly to the center of the 
room, and the members repair toward the center and form a 
crescent, the horns being toward that end of the room at which 
the candidates are to enter, the Chief being within this part of 
a circle, but between its center and his own station. This 
circle is formed by the members crossing their arms upon their 
breasts and firmly grasping each others' hands. The Marshal 
conducts the candidates within the arc, nearly to its center, 
and the horns of the crescent close in behind them, the extremes 
clasping hands, thus forming a perfect circle.] 

Chief. — My brothers: upon your appearing before us, for 
the purpose of obtaining the secrets and mysteries of this 
Third and highest Degree of our Order, you find yourselves 



52 THE RITUAL. 

encircled by a living chain of American freemen, each, and all 
of them, devoted to the sacred cause of Liberty, May your 
hearts ever beat in unison with theirs, and may tliis act on the 
part of your brethren evei' remind you, that so long as an Amer- 
ican citizen can be surrounded upon every side by tlie warm 
hearts and strong- hands of those whose lives are pledged to 
the liberties of their country, so long may ho hurl defiance in 
the teeth of every foe to his Government, and repel every at- 
tempt to circumscribe his liberties, or abridge his rights as a 
citizen of this Republic, let such foes and attempts come from 
what quarter they may. 

[The Chief waves his hand, the circle breaks, and the mem- 
bers fall back to their places, remaining on their feet.] 

Chief. — Worthy ilarshal: you will conduct our brethren to 
the Colonel for instructions. 

Marshal. — About face, forward, halt! [The Chief, during 
this moveTnent, returns to his station and raps.] 

Marshal. — Worthy Colonel: I present to you these worthy 
members of the Second Degree for instruction. 

Colonel. — Worthy Chief: these, our brothers of the Second 
Degree, have already, by their fidelity to our principles, made 
themselves worthy of the honors they now seek at our hands, 
and if no objection is made by any member present, they will 
now receive from you the opportunity of exchanging those vows 
of fidelity to their brethren, known only to the members of this 
Degree of our honorable Order. \Pause.'] Worthy Marshal: 
you will please present these candidates to our Wortliy Chief, 
in proper form. 

Marshal. — About face, forward, [to a few feet from Chief a 
little past center of flag,] halt. 

Marshal. — Worthy C!:ief: I present you these, our brothers 
of the Second Degree, who seek ])romotion to the high honors 
and privileges of this Third and final Degree of our Order, by 
taking upon themselves its obligation. 

Chief. — My brothers: is this the voluntary desire of your 
hearts ? [Jinswer.\ It is. 

Chief. — Wortliy Secretary: have these brothers been elected 
by tlie voice of this Encampment to receive this highest De- 
gree of our Order ? 

Secretary. — They iiave, Worthy Chief. 

Chief. — Worthy Marshal: how will the brothers receive 
this Degree? 

Marshal. — In a proper position, they will receive the obli- 
gation at your hands. Tliey will afterwards be fully instructed 
by yourself and other proper ofiicers. 

Chief. — What is that proper position? 



/<36 



BLUE DEGREE 53 

Marshal. — Humbly kneelino; upon the rio-ht knee before that 
Great Bcin2: who guides the destinies of nations, their right 
hands grasping the flag of our country, in token of their read- 
iness to preserve its purity unsullied from the assaults of trai- 
torous hands, (who even now would exult to trample its bright 
stars in the dust.) and, as a pledge to protect it from foreign 
foes; while their left hands are raised towards Heaven, as an 
evidence of their deep sincerity. 

Chief. — And in the hour of danger, where shall our breth- 
ren look for aid and comfort ? 

Marshal.— Among the links ot that living chain which sur- 
rounds every brother during the time he takes upon himself the 
obligation that binds us together. 

Chief. — Of what is that chain composed? 

Marshal. — Of true hearts and strong hands ; a band of 
American Freemen, pledged to preserve our Union at every 
hazard, and to transmit the blessings of its free institutions to 
the last generation of their posterity. 

Chief. — Right, my brother ! a chain like this may defy the 
worst attempts of foreign or domestic foes to subjugate or 
overthrow our Government, or destroy our nation's welfare. 

[Gives three raps and members all rise to their feet. He 
then gives one rap, and the words, " Brethren, advance.'' The 
Chief then advances toward the candidates, while the members 
advance and form a circle around the Chief and candidates, 
clasping each others' hands as before.] 

Chief. — My brothers, you will please kneel upon your right 
knees, raise your left hands towards Heaven, and with your 
right hands grasp the Fhig of the Republic of the United States 
of America. In this position, surrounded by a living chain of 
your brethren, you will receive from me the obligation of the 
Third and highest Degree of our Order. You will commence 
by repeating your names when I repeat mine, and follow me 
through the 

obligation. 

I, , kneeling before God. my Maker, my left hand 

upraised towards Heaven, my right hand grasping, the flag 
of my country, do, voluntarily, solemnly and sincerely, prom- 
ise, affirm, vow and declare, that I will never communicate, 
any of the ceremonies, or secrets of this Degree, to any per- 
son or persons in the world, except within a legally organized 
Encampment of this Order, or to a known brother or brethren 
of this Degree, and not to him, or them, until I am well as- 
sured, that they are just and upright brethren, and legally 
entitled to receive the same : Furthermore, that I will pay 



54 THE RITUAL. 

due obedience, to the Constitution, of the Grand National 
Encampment of this Order, in the United States of America, 
the Constitution of the State Grand Encampment, of the Order 
in this State, the County Constitution of the Order in this 
county, and the Constitution of this Encampment, and of any 
encampment, to whicli I may hereafter belong, together with 
the laws, rules and edicts of those bodies, when I shall have 
knowledge thereof, uidess the same shall be in violation of my 
conscience : Furthermore, that whenever I vote, at an elec- 
tion, my vote shall always be cast, for those whom I believe, 
to be worthy and true men, and true to the principles of this 
Order, whether members thereof or not; that I will not receive 
money or other bribe, for my vote, nor give money, or other 
bribe, to buy, or secure the votes of others, for myself or 
friends; and I will denounce any person whom I may know to 
be guilty of such crime, as unworthy of American citizenship, 
be he native or alien born ; 

Furthermore, That I will consider this, and all other obli- 
gations which I have previously taken in this Order, binding 
upon me through life, and that other things being equal, I will 
prefer a candidate from this Order, to one who is not ; 

Furthermore, AVhenever I see the siu'n of Distress of this 
Degree given by a brother, or hear the signal of Distress of 
this Degree, I will hasten to the relief of the brother giving 
the same, at the peril of my life, unless it were in violation of 
law and good conscience so to do ; 

Furthermore, I will ever contribute my means, in such sums 
as I can spare, without personal inconvenience, to the relief of 
those, and their families, who may have been wounded or fallen 
in battle, their widows and cliildren, and to the advancement 
of the principles of this Order throughout the United States 
of America ; 

Furthermore, I will never knowingly permit a spurious or 
clandestine member of this Order to enter this or any other 
Encampment, and I will never enter or recognize a spurious or 
clandu.^tinc Encampment, but those only which may be working 
under a ])ropor charter, signed by a Grand Chief, as jnovidcd 
in the C()iistil,utions of the Order, or upon the organization of 
an Encampment by the permission and direction of such Chief; 

Furtiiermore, 1 will never consent, nor agree, that in time of 
peace the Government of the United States shall interfere with 
the municipal regulations of any State of this Union, unless such 
regulation shall be in violation of the Constitution of the Uni- 
ted States ; nor that nny one of the States of this Union shall 
interfere with the municijial rcgulatione of any other State of 
this Union, unless such municipal regulation shall be in viola- 



/3y 



BLUE DEGREE 55 

tion of the Conptitution of the United States, or such State be 
in rebellion against our National Government : 

All tliits I do solemnly covenant to do and perform, provided 
that nothing in any obligation I have taken in this Order shall 
bind me against my conscience, or my sense of duty to my Gov- 
ernment, State or National; binding myself under no less a 
penalty than having my grave trampled on by traitors, to 
have my memory cursed by my children, and by my children's 
children, as a traitor to their welfare, to my country and to my 
God. So help me God. 

[The Chief waves his hand, retires to his station and gives 
one rap. The circle breaks, and the members are seated.] 

Maushal. — You will rise my brothers and advance to the 
Chief. [The candidates advance in line.] 

Chief. — The different obligations you have taken in this 
Order in its diflerent Degrees, must have convinced you that 
all, who claim to be American citizens, have certain important 
and sacred duties to perform, towards themselves and to soci- 
ety at large , which duties can in no instance be set aside or 
annulled, without a palpable violation of the dearest rights 
and privileges of American citizenship, which, as an admirer 
of Republican Freedom, each and every member of our organ- 
ization would wish to enjoy. 

The ])eculiar formation of our Order is such, and its designs 
so accord with the wishes of its members, and of all true 
Americans, that by a system of concerted action on the part 
of our Brotherhood, we can bring about a series of practical 
results, and needed reforms in our governmental policy, both in 
our State, and in our nation, which, lo effect in any other way, 
would be wholly impracticable. Our cause is a righteous one, 
and we believe can not fail of success. The motives which 
actuate us, are of no ordinary character, for we look to the 
present, and ultimate good of the nation, as well as to the indi- 
vidual happiness and prosperity of each citizen, whether by 
adoption, or " native and to the manor born" alike ; and we 
trust that no brother among us, will ever be found absent 
from his post, in the hour of danger or of trial to our country. 
If our country be threatened, let her true sons be ready to de- 
fend her. If she be wounded, let them ever be ready to avenge 
her. 

The Commandant of a military post, who is well versed in 
military Science and all the strategy of war, does not waitfor 
the enemy to seize upon his ammunition, and make his soldiers 
captive, tjcfore he thinks of resistance ; he does not permit the 
enemy to enter his camp, and draw plans at their leisure for 
his destruction ; he has guards in every direction, to apprize 



56 THE RITUAL. 

him of approaching danger, and at the first intimation of as- 
sault, his troops are ready for action. So also should we he 
prepared against any attempt to deprive us of our privileircs 
as American citizens, or to weaken the bonds of our govern- 
ment. For its protection and perpetuation, at all times, one 
common impulse should actuate us, ever remembering that 
" Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." 

My brothers : When British tyrany sought to enslave our 
Fathers, when danger menaced them on every side, our revolu- 
tionary sires refused to hesitate or falter for an instant, but 
pledged upon the issue, their lives, their fortunes, and their 
sacred honors: and the result of their high resolves, has placed 
us in possession of that freedom and prosperous happiness, 
which has no parallel on the globe. Let us think of, and be 
true to, the memory of our patriot sires. Let us protect the 
work of their hands, from the grasp of violence ; and let us 
assist, as before God we have covenanted to do, in transmitting 
to our posterity, the glorious inheritance bequeathed to us, 
unimpaired in power, undimmed in glory, and untarnished by an 
act not worthy of the dignity and greatness of American Free- 
men. 

Ag;iin we welcome you as brothers. You will now repair 
to the Secretary's desk, and register your names as members 
of this Degree, and receive your certificates ; after which, upon 
proceeding to the Captain, he will instruct you in its work. 

[This is done, and the candidates repair to the Captain.] 

Marshall. — Worthy Captain : I present these our brothers, 
newly made members of the Third and last Pegree of our 
Order, that you may instruct them in its signs and passwords. 

Captain. — My brothers: To gain admission to an Encamp- 
ment when at work on this Degree, you Avill approach the 
outer door with the same ceremony as in the former Degrees. 

Upon approaching the inner door, you Avill give raps 

upon which the sentinel will ))lace his ear towards yon. You 

will pronounce , in a whisper. Ho will respond ; 

you will whisper ; upon which he will admit you. Passing 

to the center of the room, you will salute the Chief with this 
sign, F. 0. W., Avhich is the sign of this Degree. You will 
then, upon his recognition, be seated. This is the grip of the 
Third Degree. C. F. F. B. A. F. A. B. B. T., and it is given 
in this manner, J. 0. A. A. 0. J. The sign of distress of this 
degree, when given to a ])crson near von, is this, B. 0. IL L.. 
anil D. F. F. 0. A. A. E. H. R. But' at a distance this is the 

sign, . The words of distress are F. M. W. This is the 

common sign of recognition, B. A. F. A., and H. 0. P. S. It 
is answered thus, H. (). IL B. P. S. Should you ever see the 



/3f 

BLUE DEGREE. 57 

sign of distress given or hear these words, , spoken, you 

know your duty, and should you see this secret summons cut or 

torn in this manner, , you must lay a^idc all excuses but 

physical inability, and hasten to the encampment. I have now 
the pleasure of saying to you, that you are entitled to your 
Third, and last Degree certificates, on paying to the Secretary, 
each twenty-five cents, which will be applied for the benefit of 
the Order. But before receiving them, you will retire and 
work your way from the ante-room into the Encampment 
singly, and salute the Chief with this sign, F. 0. W. [This 
is done, after which the newly promoted brethren are seated. 
Necessary business is transacted, after whicli the closing is,] 

Chief. — Worthy Colonel : What is the price of human lib- 
erty, and free institutions? 

Colonel. — " Eternal vigilance." 

Chief. — By what is thegreatest amount of personal liberty 
under the law, represented ? 

Colonel. — By the Flag of our Country. 
Chief. — -Of what is our flag emblematical ? 
Colonel. — Of every earthly good that can be vouchsafed to 
humanity. 

Chief. — Where should our flag be placed? 
Colonel — On every rampart where Freedom has breathed, 
but more especially in the hearts of our countrymen. 

Chief.— Worthy Colonel : You will direct the Captain to 
form the members' in columns for the Grand March, and we 
will sing together, '" The Star Spangled Banner." 

Colonel. — Worthy Captain : Our Chief commands you to 
form the members in columns for the Grand March. 

Captain.— Freemen : Fall into ranks. [The Captain forms 
them in columns, as many abreast as may be necessary for all 
to march. The Colonel'falls in at the rear of the procession, 
and marches around with it to the Chief's station. The Chief 
then joins in the march, as the Colonel comes around by his 
station, and they all sing] — 

" Oh ! say can you see by the da-n-n's early light, 

What so proudly f/e hailed, by the twilight's lasi gleaming. 
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous night, 
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming ; 
And the rocket's red glare, bombs bursting in air. 
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. 
Oh, say does the Star Spangled Banner yet wave, 
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave. 

[Upon the word " wave " in the chorus of each verse, the 
sign of the Third Degree is given.] 



58 THE RITUAL, 

" On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep, 
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, 
What is that which the breeze o'er the towering sweep, 
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? 

Now it catches the gleam, of the morning's first beam, 
In full gloi j^ reflected, now shines on the stream ; 
'Tis the Star Spangled Banner, Oh, long may it wave. 
O'er the laud of the free and the home of the brave. 

[While singing tlie third and fourth verses, commencing 
with the third, the head of the marching column turns, at the 
Chief's station, and passes down, the body of the column fol- 
lowing, to the Colonel's station, Avhcre the column divides right 
and left in the center, each part waving around in a circle of 
itself, and occupying eacli one-half of the room. While sing- 
ing the fourth verse, at the word "conquer," the foot of each 
brother is brought firmly down, and the outer columns or por- 
tions from the Chief's station, and those at that point halt, and 
face inward or toward the center, while those facing the 
Colonel's station pass on down to it, and around and halt, all 
facing inwardly, the Chief in the center of the circle.] 

"And where is that band, who so vauntingly swore, 
That the havoc of war, and the battles' confusion, 
A home and a country should leave us no more ? 

Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. 
No refuge could save the hireling and slave, 
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave; 
And thf Star Spangled Banner in triumph doth wave, 
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave. 

Oh ! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand, 

Between their loved home, and the war's desolation; 
Bless'd with vict'ry and peace, may the heaven rescued land, 
Praise the power that has made and preserved us a nation. 
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, 
And this be our motto, "In God is our trust;" 
And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave, 
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave." 

[At the close of the song, the Captain, if the circle is not 
perfect, gives the command, " Halt, to center, face!'' and the 
procession becomes a circle, the brethren lacing inwards, the 
Chief being in tlie center of the circle, and beneath the 
United States ensign.] 

Cii]i:[\ — Before closing, my brethren, you will all repeat 
after me, tlie obligation which binds us together as a national 
brotherhood. 

OBLIGATION. 

I, , under and around the flag of my country, hereby 

renew my promises and covenants of eternal fidelity, to the 



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BLUE DEGREE. 59 

VOWS I have taken in tins Order, and I will be ever vigilant to 
discover and report corrnption and dishonesty in any depart- 
ment of this State or National Government, through tlie proper 
officers of this Order, to the National Grand Chief of the 
Order of American Freeman, of the United States of America. 
So help me God. 

Chief. — We meet my brothers at , on evening, at 

o'clock, at which time all are invited to attend. I now 

declare this Encampment duly closed. 

OBLIGATION, 

\0n examining a stranger, hands on Bihle-^iih~(ttross on cover, 1 

I, , in the presence of Almighty God and these witnesses, 

do hereon most solemnly vow and declare, that I have received 
the Degrees, White, Red and Blue, of the Order of American 
Freeman of the United States of America, in a legal manner, 
within a legal Encampment of tliat Order. So help me God. 
Should any woman or women ever be admitted to the 
Encampment, it shall bo in like manner as men are admitted ; 
but no woman shall be admitted a member of this Order, ex- 
cept as a reward for some noble, charitable or heroic act, and 
then in due form may she be received. 

" God only is Great."— Amen. 



BURIAL SERVICE. 



BURIAL SERVICE OP THE ORDER OF AMERICAN 

FREEMEN. 

The Encampment meets at its usual place of business, or at 
some convenient place in the neig'liborliood of the deceased 
bi-other, and the procession is foimed. (No drunkard or 
grossly immoral jierson can be buried by any Encampment of 
this Order, as a bodv, nor according to the forms of this service.) 



ORDER OP PROCESSION. 



Bearer of Flag. 
Sentinel. 



Music. 



Bearer of Flag. 
Guard. 



Q 

•« 



DRUMS MUFFLED. 

Four Members with Guns, abreast, 
s Four Members abreast, with Guns. 

[When the Encam[)meat coiitiiiis fifty or more members, all go four abreast, 
and about four feet apart ; but if it contain less than fifty members in the 
procession, then two abreast.] 

Four Members Abreast. 

Four Members Abreast. 

Secretary and Treasurer. 

Captain and Colonel. 

CHIEF. 



'^^ 



:a 



Covered with :^ 



c; 



Ph 
o 
o 



^ 



ba National Ensign. 



Members of otlicr Orders to which the deceased belonged. 

Ladies who wish to join tlie procession. 

Citizens, not members of any Order. 



BURIAL SERVICE. 61 

At a proper distance from the grave the body will be taken 
in charge as above, and the procession will move in perfect 
order, to the beat of the drum. The procession will approach 
(if convenient) in a line with the grave, and nearly to its foot, 
and " halt." The brethren will, by a retrograde movement 
right and left from the center, move two paces on each side, 
and wheel into lines facing each other, by order of the ]\Iarshal 
there given, the Marshal will then pass down through the 
lines, between the columns, to the Chief, and with the Chief 
pass up again between the two columns, with head uncovered. 
The Chief, as he advances, and in passing between the columns, 
repeats in a loud and distinct voice these words: " I am the 
resurrection and the life; whosoever believeth in me, though 
he were dead yet shall he live," " For I know that my Re- 
deemer liveth, and that I shall be raised up in the last day." 
" Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord ! Yea, saith the 
Spirit, for they rest from their labors, and their works do fol- 
low them." The Chief will pass on the the right hand side of 
the grave to its head, and halt. The pall-bearers, with the 
coffin, will pass, also, on the ri^ht hand side of the grave and 
around the Chief to the left side thereof and deposit it over 
the grave, upon its resting place. 

loimediately after the coffin and pall-bearers pass the head 
of the two columns, the Colonel and Captain, Treasurer and 
Secretary, and the members of the column, two and two on each 
side, fall into the ranks and proceed up within a proper dis- 
tance from the foot of the grave, for the purpose intended, 
where they will file right and left from the center, and passing 
around, one column on each side of the grave, meet columns 
and halt behind the Chief and at a distance upon all sides 
fiom the grave to form a hollow square, sufficient in diameter 
and size to accommodate all the members of the procession. 
The word is then given by the Marshal, " By twos or couples, 
right and left, to center, wheel !" and the brethren wheel into 
line. The Marshal then gives the word " Dress." and the 
brethren will see that on each side of the hollow square, they 
are in perfect line, and facing the grave on the four sides. The 
ensign is now removed. 

If the deceased belonged to any other Order or Orders or 
denomination of Christians or other denomination, who de- 
sire to perform their rites at the grave, those Orders will now 
be admitted, in the order of their antiquity, as they shall de- 
sire, within the hollow square (whose ranks or lines will pre- 
serve perfect order) through the center of that line, stationed 
at and near the foot of the grave, and having performed their 
ceremonies at the grave will retire through that portion of the 



62 BURIAL SERVICE. 

line tlirough wliicli they Avere admitted. The Colonel will then 
advance to tlie right, and the Captain to the left of the Chief, 
and the members bearing guns, loaded with cartridge only, will 
taivC their stations, four on each side of the grave. The coffin 
being lowered to its resting place, the further ceremonies of the 
Order of American Freemen will proceed. 

MUSIC — America. [Jill sing.\ 

My Countiy, 'tis of thee 

Swet't land of liberty, 

Of thee I sing; 
Land where my fathers died, 
Land of the I^'ilgrinis' ])ride, 
From every mountain side 
Let freedom ring. 

My native connlry; thee, 

Land of the noble free. 

Thy name I love ; 
I love thy rocUs and rills, 
Thy woods and templed hills 
My heart with rapture thrills 
Like that above. 

Our latlier's God, to Thee, 

Author of Libert^', 

To The", we sina. 
Long may our land be bright, / 

Witli Freedom's holy liglit, 
Protect us by thy might, 
Great Gud our King. "v,. 

Chief. — To be gathered to American Fathers is an honor 
which none but Americans can receive. Americans, if just and 
upright men, arc the equals of kings. Who sayeth to xVmcri- 
cans, " Do this I and he doeth it ?" except it be by the volun- 
tary act of the true American, r r by force of some law which 
he himself hath made ? True Americans, whctiier by birth or 
adoption, are free; yet to three objects they voluntarily bow 
in humble reverence: to God, the Maker and Ruler of nations 
and of men, and to His will as revealed in the iSacred Word; 
to the majesty of the law, made Ijy themselves or their Fath- 
ers; and to the conscientious promptings of their own true 
hearts. Yes! Americans are free, but they are not immortal; 
their bodies, like the bodies of kings, must moulder in the 
silent tomb. 

[The Colonel on one side and the Captain on the other side 
of the grave, having taken each a spade full of earth, scatter a 
little into the grave, over the breast of the body, as the Chief 
pronounces the words " dust to dust, ashes to ashes," &c.J 




r ^- > <- 



f f 



BURIAL SERVICE. 63 

" Dust to dust, ashes to ashes," we now surrender the body \ 

of an American, to the pure embraces of our mother earth; ! 
nor do we grieve, my brother, for soon we too shall join the 

ranks and wait with you the reveille of the resurrection morn. j 

And if Americans must die, how ought Americans to live ? \ 
Ought they not to feel their direct responsibility to their God? 

to that God whose mighty hand protected our Fathers in their i 

day of trial % to that Gocl, who througli our Fathers gave to us • 

the liberties and high privileges which we enjoy ? Ought we ! 

not in all things, so to live and act, that wo may transmit to \ 

those we leave behind us, to our posterity, every right and ev- • 
ery blessing bequeathed to us by our patriot sires? 

[Two volleys, or the guns, are fired over the grave, at short 
intervals, on each side. J 

Rest thee, my brother, in peace, in sweet and quiet sleep. i 
The peal which reverberated in the ears of our sires of '76, ; 
yet re-echoes in your grave. Thou, too, art gathered to our i 
fathers; and may we all, my brethren, so live in the discharge ' 
of our every duty as good and worthy American citizens, that 
when the flag of our country shall honor us by its presence to ^i 
our tombs, and our bodies be gathered to our fathers, and our ] 
spirits, freed from tlieir clayey prison house, leaving remem- 
brances honorable to ourselves and to our names as American ' 
citizens, may be gladly greeted by the spirits of the Fathers of j 
this Republic, in the presence of the Most High God, to whom 
be everlasting praise, and. dominion forever. Amen. 

[The Doxology is sung to the tune, " Old Hundred," by the \ 

members.] , 

" Praise God, from whom all blessings flo w 
Praise Him, all creatures here below! 

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host! I 

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost !" I 

I 

[The proper orders are then given by the Marshal, and the j 

procession proceeds to the place where it was formed, there j 
performing similar evolutions to those in bringing the Chief 

to the grave, &c., and this shall be the form ' 
this Order, in all public processions, unless the same shall 

prove impracticable.] \ 

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